The birth of a two-headed calf in Sotk is the result of malformation. Environment obviously accounts for the defect, Inga Zarafyan, Ph.D, President of the Ecolur NGO, told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"The open-cast mining near the village of Sotk has its adverse effect on the village. The first toxicity class dust forms clouds over the village. The Government must realize that, if the situation is not changed, children with similar defects will be born here in ten years," Zarafyan said.

According to her, research conducted in Soviet times showed Sotk to be a low-level radiation source. Research shows that mutations can arise in several generations.

The Ministry of Nature protection must properly perform its functions and determine the contamination level. "But the ministry does not nor is it going to do anything. We need an independent expert examination of the mines, particularly near the Sotk mine. It is a state-level task," Zarafyan said.

As to the two-headed calf, the expert said that Armenia has specialists and necessary equipment to study the anomaly. "This is an interesting, but not extraordinary phenomenon. We have data showing more cardio-vascular and other cases among humans near mines," Zarafyan said.

Armenian News-NEWS.am reminds readers that a two-headed calf was born in the village of Sotk, Gegharkunik region, Armenia, January 25 (see photos). Veterinary surgeons say that the calf is bisexual.