The possibility of bringing extinct animals back to life has gone from being a science fiction fantasy to a field in which scientists are investing enormous efforts and resources. Thanks to advances in biotechnology and genetics, de-extinction is becoming an increasingly closer reality, with ambitious projects underway and growing attention to rare animals.
Companies and laboratories around the world have begun to work on the recovery of iconic species such as the woolly mammoth, dodo and the Tasmanian tiger. While the enthusiasm is notable, there are also multiple Scientific and ethical challenges which makes this path not free of controversy.
The return of the woolly mammoth
One of the most mediatic projects in the field of de-extinction is the recovery of the woolly mammothThis species, which inhabited large areas of Eurasia and North America, became extinct approximately 4.000 yearsThe initiative led by the biotechnology company Colossal aims to bring it back through the gene editing.
The approach is not to clone a mammoth from recovered DNA, but insert key genes from this animal into Asian elephant embryos, his or her closest relatives. It is sought that these hybrids can survive in cold environments, helping to restore the ecosystem of the Siberian tundra, which could contribute to mitigating climate change. In addition, the study of the genetics of these animals offers new opportunities to understand the still life and how life can adapt to adversity, as seen with other Extinct species.
The dodo: an iconic bird of extinction
El dodo, flightless bird endemic to Mauritius, It became extinct in the late 17th century due to hunting and the introduction of invasive species by European settlers. Today, it is considered a symbol of human-caused extinction.
Scientists have managed to sequence your DNA and are exploring the possibility of genetically modify cells of Nicobar pigeons, one of its closest relatives, to recreate an organism as similar as possible to the dodo. This interest in reviving species leads us to reflect on the history of other creatures, such as the fascinating Phoenix, which symbolizes rebirth and resurgence. However, it is essential not to forget the animals extinct by man which also represent a lesson of what can happen if we do not take care of our environment.
The Tasmanian tiger and the possibility of its revival
The marsupial known as Tasmanian tiger The thylacine was one of the most recent victims of extinction. Its last specimen died in captivity in 1936 in a zoo in Australia. However, some fragments of their DNA have been preserved, leaving open the possibility of reviving the species.
The thylacine's DNA has been identified as having similarities with that of the demon of Tasmania, a still extant marsupial. This has allowed researchers to work on inserting thylacine genes into the Tasmanian devil's genome in the hope of achieving a viable genetic reconstructionThis relationship between species also highlights the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems and how small interventions can make a difference, as well as how crucial it is for the preservation of animals in danger.
Other animals in the sights of science
- The woolly rhinoceros: Extinct for thousands of years, this animal has been a potential candidate for de-extinction due to the frozen remains found in Siberia.
- The bucardo: It became extinct in 2000, but an attempt at cloning it in 2003 resulted in the birth of a specimen, although it only survived for a few minutes.
- The great auk: It resembled a penguin and was driven to extinction by indiscriminate hunting.
- Gastric Brooding Frogs: These frogs had the peculiarity of incubating their eggs in their stomach and have recently been the subject of the “Lazarus Project".
The technology behind de-extinction
Scientists are using three main techniques to try to bring extinct species back to life:
- Cloning: DNA is taken from an extinct specimen and introduced into a viable egg from a similar species.
- Gene editing: The DNA of living animals is modified to include genes from extinct species.
- Selective breeding: Modern species are crossed to recover ancestral characteristics.
The development and application of these technologies could revolutionize our understanding of animal genetics and the preservation of diversity, which is also relevant to the study of feathered dinosaurs. However, it is clear that they should be used responsibly, always considering the well-being of the Animals that scientists want to revive.
Ethical challenges and risks
Although the idea of resurrecting extinct animals is fascinating, There are ethical and scientific concerns to consider. How will these animals adapt to a modern ecosystem? What impact will they have on current species? In addition, some experts believe that these efforts should focus more on conserving endangered species instead of trying to revive the missing. This highlights the need to protect the endangered animals, who already face challenges in their natural habitat.
The development of these technologies also raises concerns in terms of animal welfare. Cloning attempts have shown low success rates and in many cases the embryos do not survive, which raises ethical questions about the suffering that this process could entail.
The possibility of bringing back extinct species is a fascinating advance in science, but also raises questions about its feasibility and consequences. As new methods and technologies are developed, scientists will need to carefully consider the ecological and ethical impact of their actions. De-extinction can be an astonishing achievement of biotechnology; its implementation must be responsible and focused on the environment. balance of current ecosystems.
