In the 1870s English canary breeders caused a scandal by feeding their Norwich canaries with red peppers to turn them orange. A German bird enthusiast, Hans Duncker tried to breed, rather than feed, to produce a red canary. This is the story of early attempts at genetic manipulation.

In the 1870s English canary breeders caused a scandal by feeding their Norwich canaries with red peppers to turn them orange. A German bird enthusiast, Hans Duncker tried to breed, rather than feed, to produce a red canary. This is the story of early attempts at genetic manipulation.