Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Can we save endangered species with genetics?


 

The image is that of a northern white rhinoceros, the last known male died in March 2018, setting this kind of rhinos towards extinction; scientist have preserved the genes of this species but what can we really do with that?. there are different techniques that are used to modify a species DNA: a gene drive is a tool that can paste into a species genome which is the complete genetic instructions of an organism. this is a method targeted more to eliminate invasive species from ecosystems they are not supposed to be in, but can we apply it to restore or even help species adapt better to climate change. Different types of genetic modifications are still under study, but gene drive can provide an edge in conserving species, but we still have to be responsible and not depend on technology and genetics to save animals, just because of our greed to get profit out of them.


https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/26/biologists-genetic-modification-endangered-species

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/can-dna-editing-save-endangered-species

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