These so-called ugly merinos, ones born with rough, uneven or extra-curly wool, bald patches or even very wrinkled skin, are often culled shortly after birth because of their inability to produce good wool. Instead, researchers are asking farmers to donate their unusual sheep or wool clippings to the study.

"When something goes really wrong with the genes, it is the most powerful indicator about where to look to identify the genes that can, paradoxically, make things go really right," said Paul Hynd, a researcher from the University of Adelaide, which launched the study with the South Australian Research and Development Institute.

This Associated Press article is touching. It says a lot about how scientists in various countries are trying to exploit their knowledge to help the economy. However weird, the Australian scientists are doing the right thing.

Australia's merino-wool industry is worth about 2.8 billion Australian dollars (Bt80 billion) each year. Scientists hope to use the latest study to produce higher-quality wool to compete with popular synthetic fibres.

So it looks worthwhile to put in the money and brainpower to boost important industries.

Look at Thailand: we have seen a lot of development in the making of instant noodles, though our mama is still far away from conquering the world. Notably, Saha Group carried out their own research without government assistance.

Many economists have complained that without research and development it will be impossible to raise Thailand's status in the world arena.

How many know that it's government policy to allocate 1.5 per cent of the country's gross domestic product to R&D? And how many know where the money goes?

Buntoon Wongseelashote, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, recently gave his opinion about the government's allocation of Bt12 billion for nano-technology research. He believes it would be more worthwhile if that amount were switched to R&D on biotechnology, something that better fits Thailand's profile as an agricultural country where the quality of many agricultural products could be enhanced through research.

I couldn't agree more. It would be more feasible and more profitable for Thailand to produce the world's best food. As a nano-tech research ground, Thailand is more dodgy, given that few Thai companies are affluent enough to carry out research in factories.

achara_d@nationgroup.com.