A recent article by Jasmin Fox-Skelly in BBC News discusses how scientists are getting closer to resurrecting lost species. The thylacine species went extinct in the 1920s, but CRISPR technology could possibly help de-extinct them and many other species. Recent advancements in genetic editing have opened up the idea of cloning extinct species, which could bring them back. But would this create an ethical concern?
DNA specimens of thylacine were preserved, but the DNA strands were not completely whole. The ultraviolet exposure to the DNA caused the DNA to break down into shorter fragments. Now, scientists are trying to piece bits of the DNA together. Thylacines and dunnarts share 95% of their DNA. By sequencing the genomes of the two species and comparing their genetic codes, we can see where the two species differ. The next step is to figure out how to restore the thylacine genome with CRISPR. Bringing back extinct species could hold specific advancements and ideas in the world of science but cause different questions regarding the ethics of gene editing.
I think when discussing the possibility of reintroducing a species that has gone extinct, the question of ethics is of high concern. On one hand, the scientific breakthrough of being able to bring an animal back from extinction would be astounding and a huge step in the field of genetics. On the other hand, introducing an animal into an environment it has not existed in for hundred or thousands of years could cause harm to the delicate ecosystem.
ReplyDeleteCassie, you make an excellent point. However, it also makes me wonder who decides which extinct species are prioritized for reintroduction. Do researchers consider ecological impact, public interest, and/or funding? With so many endangered species today, I'm sure those resources would be better used protecting animals that still have a chance. It’s a tough balance between the advancement of science and ethical concerns.
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