Could We Actually Bring Extinct Species Back to Life?

 The idea of de-extinction is something that scientists are exploring to bring back extinct species. This process is the reviving of extinct species using modern genetic told. They are using DNA to recreate or mimic extinct species. Some approches include cloning: use of preserved DNA to create a genetic copy, Selective breeding: breeding modern animals to resemble ancestors, Genetic engineering: editing of DNA of a living species to match an extinct one. The last method is the most promising, tools like CRISPR.

One of the most famous de-extinction projects involves the wooly mammoth. Scientists are attempting to include mammoth genes into the DNA of modern elephants to create a hybrid that can survive cold environments. The goal isnt to bring them back but to also restore ecosystems. Some researchers believe that mammoth like animals can help rebuild Arctic grasslands and slow climate changes.

There are many challenges that come with this idea, DNA degrades overtime, which makes genomes hard to obtain. The accuracy of the species is unknown, and development would require a living surrogate.

Ethical dilemas also come to rise. Should species even be brought back, and could this potentially distract from protecting endangered species today. Concern about animal welfare especially for the surrogates also become a conversation.

National Geographic Society
“De-Extinction.” National Geographic, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/de-extinction/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Smithsonian Institution
“Can We Bring Extinct Animals Back to Life?” Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-we-bring-extinct-animals-back-life-180968197/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Science
Shapiro, Beth. “Pathways to De-Extinction: How Close Can We Get to Resurrection of an Extinct Species?” Science, vol. 340, no. 6135, 2013, pp. 32–33.

The Genetics of Attraction

 One fascinating discovery is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) which is a group of genes that are related to immunity. Studies suggest that people are often attracted to other with different MHC genes. 

Having a difference in these genes between 2 partners is ideal due to stronger immune systems in offspring and greater genetic diversity. In a famous experiment, women rated the scent of T-shirts worn by men and preferred those with different MHC profiles.

Attraction involves brain chemistry. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine (reward and pleasure), oxytocin (bonding), and testosterone & estrogen (sexual attraction). These are influenced by genetics and environment.

Your environment plays a role in your attraction which is shaped by personal experiences, culture, and social context. 

National Human Genome Research Institute
“Genome Editing.” Genome.gov, National Human Genome Research Institute, https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/Genome-Editing. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Nature
Cyranoski, David. “CRISPR-Baby Scientist Fails to Satisfy Critics.” Nature, vol. 564, 2018, pp. 13–14.

World Health Organization
Human Genome Editing: Recommendations. World Health Organization, 2021, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240030381

The Science and Ethics of Human Cloning

 Human cloning sounds like something that is not possible. Cloning is not just fiction, in 1996 a sheep was cloned. This raises the question: could humans be cloned?

The method to clone Dolly the Sheep is called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This includes taking the nucleus from the body cell, inserting it into an egg cell with its nucleus removed, and stimulating the cell to develop and divide into an embryo.

This may seem like your clone would be exactly you but thats not actually the case. Even with identical DNA, your clone would not grow up in the same environment, have different experiences, and would develop a unique personality. 

Human cloning is banned due to serious ethical concerns such as: issues of identity and individuality, high failure and health risks, and exploitation. Because of this, most countries have strict laws.

National Human Genome Research Institute
“Cloning.” Genome.gov, National Human Genome Research Institute, https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Cloning. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Nature
Wilmut, Ian, et al. “Viable Offspring Derived from Fetal and Adult Mammalian Cells.” Nature, vol. 385, 1997, pp. 810–813.

National Institutes of Health
“Cloning Fact Sheet.” National Institutes of Health, https://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=41. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Is Artificial Intelligence the Future of Genetic Disease Diagnosis?

Recent advances in the intersection of artificial intelligence and genetics are transforming how scientists understand and diagnose disease. Companies like Google DeepMind have developed tools such as AlphaGenome, which can analyze vast amounts of genetic data and predict which DNA mutations are likely to cause disease. Traditionally, identifying harmful mutations required years of lab work and trial-and-error experimentation. Now, AI can scan entire genomes in a fraction of the time, identifying patterns that would be nearly impossible for humans to detect on their own. This has major implications for diagnosing rare genetic disorders, where patients often wait years for answers. By combining machine learning with genomic sequencing, researchers are moving toward faster, more accurate, and more personalized diagnoses.

AI-driven tools could eventually make genetic analysis more accessible and affordable, reducing reliance on specialized labs and experts. However, there are still concerns about accuracy, bias in training data, and the ethical implications of relying on algorithms to make medical decisions. Additionally, while AI can predict the likelihood that a mutation is harmful, it does not fully replace the need for biological validation. Despite these challenges, the integration of AI into genetics represents a major step toward precision medicine, where treatments and diagnoses are tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup.

I think this is one of the most exciting developments in genetics right now because it shows how different fields of science can come together to solve real problems. The idea that AI can analyze DNA faster than scientists is kind of crazy, but also makes sense since there is just so much genetic data to go through. At the same time, I do think it’s a little concerning to rely too much on AI for medical decisions, especially if the data it’s trained on isn’t perfect. Overall though, I think this could be a huge step forward in diagnosing diseases earlier and potentially saving lives, as long as it’s used carefully alongside human expertise.

Source:https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/28/google-deepmind-alphagenome-ai-tool-genetics-disease

Additional Source: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/new-artificial-intelligence-model-could-speed-rare-disease-diagnosis

Whar Makes You You?

 Every cell in your body contains a gopy of your genome. A genome is a set of instructions that is your biological makeup. A human genome consists of about 3 billion base pairs. These bases (A) (T) (C) (G) form the code that carries information. Only about 1-2% kf this DNA actually codes for proteins. The rest use to be considered "junk DNA". 

One of the biggest scientific efforts in history was the Human Genome Project which wanted to map the entire human genome. This project identified hundreds of thousands of genes, provided reference for genetic research, and accelerated advances in medicine and biotech.

The reason that we are all different is due to something called Genetic Variation. Humans share about 99.9% of DNA, but the remaining 0.1% accounts for all the variation between individuals. These differences influence physical traits, disease susceptibility, and drug responses. Small changes in DNA can have significant effects especially in important genes.

Genes alone do not determine outcomes, how they are regulated also matters a lot. Genes expression can vary depending on cell type, developmental stage, environmental conditions. This is a reason that liver cells and brain cells have the same DNA but have different function. 

National Human Genome Research Institute
“About the Human Genome Project.” National Human Genome Research Institute, https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

What Is the Human Genome?” MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/genome/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

National Human Genome Research Institute
“Fact Sheet: Human Genome Project.” Genome.gov, https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Human-Genome-Project. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

How do Genetic Mutations Drive Evolution

 When the word "mutation" is heard, people often think that it may be something that is harmful and leads to something scary. In biology mutations are essential. 

A mutation is any change in DNA sequence and these changes can occur due to error during DNA replication, exposure to radiation & chemicals, and infections. Most mutations are neutral which means that they have little to no effect but some can be harmful. Only a small amount are beneficial, and those drive evolution.

Mutations introduce variation into the population. This variation is raw material for natural selection which is a concept introduced by Charles Darwin. For Example:

- Mutations can allow bacteria to resist antibiotics

- A change in genes can help an organism survive in new environments

- Variations in traits can improve survival and reproduction

Mutations are not just random mistakes, they are foundational in biological diversity. A lack of mutations would not let life be able to adapt.

Researcher Identify a Gene Responsible for Idiopathic Osteoporosis

In a recent study, researchers found a genetic component to IOP, otherwise known as idiopathic osteoporosis.

Idiopathic osteoporosis is osteoporosis that has no discernable cause. Osteoporosis in and of itself is a bone disease marked by a decrease in bone density, which leads them to be brittle and easily broken. Osteoporosis is most common in elderly women, and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

In this study, researchers sequenced the genomes of multiple individuals with idiopathic osteoporosis, and found significant variations in the MTNR1A gene. This gene codes for melatonin receptors, which is a key factor in maintaining bone density. In addition, researchers examined the gene in mice, which managed to produce offspring with low bone density as well.

This research is extremely important towards understanding what causes idiopathic osteoporosis, and has the potential to further advancements in osteoporosis medication.

Sources:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adj0085

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21365462/

Fragmentation and Decline of African Elephant Populations

 A genomic investigation of the effects of declining population connectivity in African elephant species.

Figure 1: A depiction of growing numbers of orphaned elephants quenching their thirst and losing major sources of food supply.

    African elephants were separated by habitat several million years ago into two species: Forrest and Savanna. Forrest elephants have higher heterozygosity and population size; however, savanna elephants have higher rates of inbreeding and genetic load. As their habitats have increasingly declined due to human expansion, limited mobility and genetic drift has become a reality for many populations. The savanna elephant is endangered, while the forrest elephant is critically endangered.

    In the first content-wide genomic dataset treating forrest and savanna as distinct species, 232 genomes were studied across 12 different countries in Africa. This study found that these elephants are known for traveling long distances, maintaining high connectivity between species and genetic diversity. In recent years, these elephant populations have become isolated from one another due to human activity, including poaching, expanding infrastructure and declining agriculture to create habitat fragmentation. Smaller, isolated populations are more susceptible to harmful disease and decline from environmental change. As a major African keystone species, elephants shape ecosystems and support entire food webs. By protecting the genetic diversity of these mammalian megaherbivores, entire ecosystems can be protected for cascade and collapse.

Source:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71262-w

https://warnercnr.source.colostate.edu/african-elephant-decline/