Chinese scientists have identified five key functional genes in silkworms allowing them to improve the quality of silk.

Based on the silkworm gene map produced last year, scientists have identified more than 18,000 genes through analyzing their DNA.

And for the first time they have found some major functional genes related to silkworms' gender control, growth and immunity.

Theses new discoveries have been published in the internationally renowned magazine Science.

(CRI.com December 12, 2004)