Tayler Vence
Bio 1010
11/27/13
De-extinction
Many species of animals have become extinct over the course of the Earth’s history, but
what if they could be resurrected? With recent advances in genetics, it may be more of a reality
than a fantasy.
There are three main methods of de-extinction that have been proposed, the first (and
also most popular) of these methods, is cloning. Cloning would be possible through the
reconstruction of extinct species’ genomes; however, it would only work for recently extinct
species, as older species’ DNA is extremely hard to find, or non-existent altogether. For cloning
to work scientists will have to gather DNA samples from these extinct species and then attempt
to reconstruct the genome of the extinct animal. Following the reconstruction of the species’
genome, scientists could attempt to resurrect this once extinct species in one of two ways. The
first way would be to combine the nucleus of a lab-created cell of the extinct animal with an
egg of a genetically similar animal that has had its nucleus removed. The second approach
would be to progressively splice the extinct species’ genetic sequences to replace
corresponding genetic sequences of a genetically similar non-extinct species’ genome. After
much repetition such a method could eventually revive the once extinct species.
Another method of de-extinction that may be feasible is a matter of “reverse
engineering” an extinct species. If the relative of an extinct species is still alive, it is believed
that researches could manipulate the genome to reverse-engineer the extinct species.
Researchers are currently trying to resurrect the passenger pigeon that went extinct in 1914 by
altering the DNA of its closest relative, the band-tailed pigeon. Scientists at Harvard are
sequencing the genomes of both birds and analyzing the genetic variations to figure out how
they could tweak the genome of the band-tailed pigeon to bring about traits that were present
in the once living passenger pigeon. However, the biggest challenge in itself is going to be
combining all the desired traits, both behavioral and physical, to bring this once extinct species
back to life.
The third and final de-extinction method is breeding backwards. It is proposed that
backwards breeding may be even simpler than the first two de-extinction methods, but how is
it possible? The process would use strategic mating to hopefully restore the genome and also
the anatomy of a once extinct animal. Currently scientists are trying to revive the auroch, the
ancestor of domestic cattle. This process would be very advantageous, as it would utilize cattle
from the current ecological setting rather than attempting to revive an animal from a different
time and climate. This approach would require a scientifically guided mating program, and
possibly some human assistance; for example artificial insemination.
After some testing, trial and error, and perseverance the de-extinction process may well
be a very viable reality. However, many seem to wonder whether or not we should actually be
bringing once dead species back to life. On one hand, we could bring back species that were
killed off because of humankind (right our wrongs, so to speak), preserve biodiversity, gain
useful science through the study of the once extinct species’ genomes, and reintroduce these
extinct species into proper habitats that are suffering ecologically. However, on the other hand
focusing too heavily on these species could distract from preserving species that are
endangered, it could upset the natural ecological balance, and the extinct species may not be
able to thrive due to the very different climate the Earth has today.
Personally I believe bringing back an extinct species would be very beneficial. Although I
don’t believe it should just be any species. The species selected should have a relatively high
need for resurrection, meaning it would be important to the ecosystem. On top of that the
chosen species would also need to be able to survive given today’s current climate. Through the
revival of extinct species we could help dying ecosystems, and learn a lot about why the species
went extinct in the first place, possibly being able to prevent future extinction of certain
endangered animals in addition to learning about genetic variation of many types of animals.