Scientists studying the humble budgerigar have spent the last 24 years trying to identify genes which can lead to physical abnormalities.
Dr. Ian Boring, PhD student and Darkness fan, was responsible for taking samples of budgerigar sperm and analysing the DNA. Dr N.O. Lyfe, his research partner extracted the DNA and used rapid replication technology used DNA testing to identify suspect genes.
One of the most stunning finds was that birds who sharpened their beaks on cuttlefish shells starting with the left side of their beak, when bred with a similar bird, laid eggs which turned into budgerigars which continued this trait. In essence Left+Left=Left. A similar trait was found amongst 'Right' sharpeners Right+Right=Right.
"I spent 12 years on watching Lefties and 12 years on Righties" said Ian,"I am not sure the relevance of this find to humanity, but it kept me in fish and chips and paid the rent for ages".
The study was funded by the Applied Biotechnology Fund, a fund set up by the government to help commercialise British scientific discoveries. The fund has never generated a profit.