Mapping the Panda Genome

Very few animals are as cherished and honored as China's Giant pandas.  They're national icons, whose births are marked with nationwide celebration, and deaths mourned by over a billion people.  When they're sick or stressed out, benevolent zookeepers feed them homemade chicken noodle soup, and I wouldn't be surprised if they serve it up with a bedtime story, too.

Pandas haven't just captivated the adoration of the general public; they've also intrigued the scientific community.  An international group of scientists has mapped the panda genome, gaining deeper insight into this beloved species.

So what did they find?  Pandas might be genetically similar to dogs and humans, but they're quite different from mice.  While the fact that pandas aren't genetically similar to mice probably comes as no surprise to, say, your average 2nd grader, the scientists have only begun to unlock most of the information within the genome. 

The project won't be completed until the end of the year, so various questions, like those related to the panda's mating habits and environmental preferences, are still being considered.

This research also brings up another question: why does it matter?  Do we really need a scientific explanation as to why pandas eat bamboo or whether the panda is genetically closer to a bear or a raccoon?  

While this information probably won't affect the lives of your average person, or panda bear, for that matter, considering the fact that only about sixteen hundred of these adored animals remain in the wild, and last May's earthquake in Sichuan Province disrupted much of their natural habitat, a more comprehensive understanding of this species might be vital to their survival. 

Although this project marks the first mapping of the genome of an endangered species, a greater knowledge of the panda might also hold the key to preserving other species worldwide.