John E. Priegnitz II, KT, 32*
Introduction to Biology 1010
27 November, 2013
Melissa Hardy, Ph.D
The Ethics of Reviving Extinct Species
Often, the stuff of science fiction becomes science reality. From the invention of
the submarine to flying man to the moon, all of these ideas were once thought of as
pure fantasy and entertainment. Now, we as mankind are approaching a new era
where science fiction is once again becoming science reality: The possibility of bringing
an extinct species back from the realm of oblivion. However, with any new technology
comes a great many implications such as cost, purpose, and even the ethics of bringing
a species back from the dead.
Since the announcement of Dolly the Lamb, the world’s first successful clone,
rocked the world nearly two decades ago the debate of cloning has been at an almost
constant chatter from scientists to theologians. As if this ethical conundrum was not
enough we now must add to the mix about the prospect of cloning extinct species.
Within the popular imagination, Jurassic Park comes to mind with scientists extracting
DNA from prehistoric mosquitoes encased in fossilized amber. Although this idea does
make for excellent best-selling novels and a movie franchise, this sadly cannot be done
as the DNA is much too old and has degraded over time. We can however, extract
preserved genetic information from species within the last tens of thousands of years
(the Ice Age). Let’s take for example the Wooly Mammoth, if we were to find a well
enough preserved nucleus (found from tissue, fat, or even preserved bone marrow) and
replace the nucleus of an elephant with that of the Wooly Mammoth inside an embryo
we could in theory clone a species that has been lost to us by the mist of time. Another
more controversial method that can be utilized if the DNA is incomplete or so degraded
is to modify in a laboratory the genetic sequence artificially (as was suggested for the
Carrier Pigeon). This method does carry some serious ethical questions that must be
answered first before putting theory into practice. In other words, is it truly a replica of
that extinct species or is it merely a creation better suited from The Island of Doctor
Moreau?
If we have the technology to do something, does that mean we ought to do it
though? For instances, if we were to clone an extinct species is there even a habitat or
a niche it could walk back into without upsetting the surrounding ecosystem. Where
exactly would be able to place a herd of resurrected Wooly Mammoths that they could
call home? Also, there is the question of poachers. One would think that prehistoric
furs and ivory would come with quite the price tag in the murky underworld that is the
black market. On the flip side, the benefits of observing the behavior of these ancient
species would prove to be invaluable and could rewrite every natural history and
science textbook on the subject. Additionally, it could be possible to set aside large
parcels of land as preserves for these valuable creatures to wander without the risk of
being hunted into extinction. The question that would then be begging to be asked is if
keeping the animal in captivity is ethical or not as well. We should also keep in mind
that the animal kingdom is not exclusive to the prospect of cloning as well and if we
were to clone ancient plants we may find new ways to combat diseases that plague
mankind today. The possibilities and outcomes are as endless as the pros and cons of
this important debate.
To even attempt at halting human progress and innovation is about the
equivalent of stepping in front of a steam roller demanding it to stop and expecting it to
do so. Whether we like it or not, the era of cloning not just plants and animals, but even
humans is quickly approaching. The only thing that we as humanity must do to
embrace it is to search our inner humanity and at least set down a few ground rules of
what we ought and ought not do (i.e. bringing back the Neanderthal’s could have some
horrific consequences since they blur the lines of what it means to be a human or an
animal). To drive an entire species toward extinction is inexcusable; to do it again
would be an abomination. Also, we must not forget about what we have at the present
to preserve now. There are so many fragile ecosystems that are at the doorstep of
annihilation (caused even by the hands of mankind) that it becomes a moral imperative
to preserve and conserve the habitats that exist now and not fall back on cloning as a
comfortable Plan B if we happen to drive a species into extinction. Cloning is still not an
exact science and the creatures that are a product of cloning are often rife with a myriad
of health problems and seldom survive the difficulties of birth. In the end, we all must
take a long hard look within ourselves and ask why it is that we desire to bring extinct
creatures back from the dead. For me personally, I cannot help but feel that visiting a
herd of mammoths or observing a pack of Saber Tooth Tigers would somehow enrich
the world that I live in.