Tara Bravo
Biology 1010
Melissa Hardy
4/18/2013
DE EXTINCTION
I can only imagine watching a heard of woolly mammoths tread across the frozen Alaskan
tundra. This would be a magnificent sight. Not only would it be spectacular to see these animals, but to
let living creature tell their story, and not just hypothesize by looking at fossils, would be invaluable to
those who study these creatures. Although there is a certain level of romance involved in seeing a
species that has long been extinct live again there is much that must be considered before this
technology is widely used. Resurrection of a species through the use of science seems needed and
widely accepted when we think of animals that are on the endangered list. I don’t think that many
people would have a moral objection to doing this to save animals that are currently on the endangered
list. Is the natural progression to go from current endangered list to using the science of DE extinction on
species that have been extinct for a very long time? There are moral and ethical questions that need to
be addressed before this technology is widely used.
DE Extinction is carried out by assembling a complete genome and DNA from specimens of the species.
Then scientists identify and synthesize the genes, things that make the species unique. After this is done
stem cells are made and convert into germ cells which are injected into sperm and eggs of existing
species that is a close relative. These relatives are able to act a surrogate parents. When the surrogate
parents are bread they possess the sperm and eggs of the extinct species. When they bread the extinct
species is born and can then mate. The population is then bred and is back in existence.
Now that De extinction is possible we must consider the consequences weather they are good or bad.
The first thing that I think should be considered is what this would mean to the species once they are
able to live again. We must carefully consider whether there is proper food, shelter, and other resources
to sustain the species in a humane way. Not only should the welfare of the species that is reintroduced
into the environment be considered but we must also assess what reintroducing species will do to
existing ecosystems and other species currently living in the area.
One question should be weather this will have negative impacts to existing species. Another question
that we must consider is If we brought them back, would our ecosystem be able to support them? Many
animals have been extinct for a very long time. If these animals are extinct it is possible that many of the
environmental elements that existed when they were alive are now gone. It is important to question
whether current ecosystems will be able to support them. At a time when land is becoming minimal and
deforestation is taking place it could be said that we should address our current problems before we
even consider de extinction. I think this is especially important to consider. Our current treatment of the
environment and other endangered species is not going very well right now. Would they be able to
survive under current conditions on earth?
With our knowledge of natural selection it is quite possible to assume that the same things that made
these species venerable to extinction may still plague them. This can be good and bad. This may teach us
firsthand how certain things affect a species. On the side they could struggle for survival in the same
way they did when they were alive. I think that we should think about how this will affect the animals as
well as what happens if things go wrong with the new version of the species.
One argument made in favor of de extinction is that by bringing back extinct species they may help the
environment and maybe even convince people of the importance of conserving our environment. This
could also teach us ways to preserve and help other species survive. It could make certain environments
better and would bring back more animals, and encourage us to clean up. The article in National
Geographic states that the greed of humans have destroyed many species, this has not changed. For
some there is a sense of making what we did right again, we killed them and now we have the ability to
bring them back. Many feel that there a sense of duty to bring them back. I like the thought process
involved in this argument.
The human impact of de extinction would be very interesting. Naturally it is concerning to humans
weather the resurrected will have an effect on human health. When we are the ones that are making
the decision to do this it is important not just to consider environment but also human impact. We need
to think about how the reintroduction of species will affect our health. We must address whether they
could potentially case disease and limit our food and water resources.
Another point to consider is what will happen to survival of the fittest? The reintroduction of animals
that were unable to survive could mess with the balance of nature and change it forever. Many think
this is not something man should do. Some feel that If a species couldn’t stand up to natural selection
then they are not meant to be alive.
There is one question that has plagued me as I pondered de extinction. I wonder if humans began to be
brought back how much of their personality would be the same. It would be very interesting to see how
much of who we are is in our DNA and how much is environmental.
I think that many humans feel that we are the most important thing on the planet. We seem to think we
hold the answers, but in many instances it is very evident we do not. I think that the De Extinction
debate is a healthy and good debate to have. I think that we should peruse the development of this
technology after careful consideration. I think that we could learn so much. Maybe in one of these
extinct species their lies the information that will someday cure cancer or help us develop new
medications. I would like to see this happen on a small scale at first. Science has developed so many
amazing things that have helped us understand life in a fuller way. It has improved and our lives and
helped us understand our flaws. Most new developments in science were very disputed when they were
first introduced but after people gained a better understanding of the technology they accepted it and
we no longer think of them as controversial. I think that this is one concept that will be thought of this
way. I think that it will be interesting to see what boundaries are put on the developers of this
technology as we move forward. I am excited to see that we are still being innovative in science and
can’t wait to see if wooly mammoths live again.