Supporters argue that reviving extinct animals will help humanity rectify the mistakes made through overhunting, while opponents believe that funds and efforts should be directed towards conserving species that are currently at risk of extinction.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), nearly two-thirds of the world’s wildlife has been lost in the past 50 years. Tens of thousands of species are also currently threatened with extinction. The impacts of climate change, human activity, and various other factors are the reasons behind the extinction of many species.
With advancements in science and cutting-edge gene editing technology, scientists are getting closer to successfully reviving extinct species.
Graphic image of the Tasmanian Tiger, a dog-like marsupial that has been extinct for nearly a century – (Photo: GETTY)
In mid-August, science enthusiasts and animal lovers were excited by the news that a group of Australian scientists announced the launch of a project to revive the Tasmanian Tiger, a dog-like marsupial that has been extinct for nearly a century.
The ultimate goal of the scientific team is to reintroduce this creature to the wilds of Australia, where it once thrived as an apex predator before being hunted to extinction in the early 20th century.
To achieve this, scientists plan to splice genetic material from aged Tasmanian Tigers with the DNA of their closest living relative, the dunnart, to create a new animal that closely resembles its long-lost ancestor.
Previously, scientists also announced a project to revive the woolly mammoth. This is a bold ambition fraught with difficulties, as the woolly mammoth has been extinct for around 4,000 years, meaning there is very little genetic material available for research to revive them.
Additionally, there are many other projects and plans to resurrect animals from various research institutions around the world, with hopes that gene editing and cloning methods will bring back extinct species while also protecting those that are at risk.
Is reviving extinct animals advisable or not?
This question has been debated for many years, especially since Australian scientists announced their plans to revive the Tasmanian Tiger. Not only science enthusiasts but even researchers themselves express skepticism about the importance of resurrecting prehistoric animals.
Proponents of the “anti-extinction” movement argue that beyond the wonder of “resurrection,” scientific progress also gives us the opportunity to rectify some past mistakes by bringing back species that humans have hunted to depletion. Once revived, these creatures could help restore balance in their ecosystems.
This could also provide benefits for humanity. For instance, if woolly mammoths return, they could help combat climate change by slowing the erosion of permafrost in snowy regions. Ambitious anti-extinction projects could also lead to breakthroughs in genetic science that may be used to protect endangered species in the future.
Model of a woolly mammoth on display in France – (Photo: CNN)
Opponents of animal resurrection projects argue that the most important factors in carrying out these plans are money and time. A project to resurrect any species, regardless of size, could cost billions of dollars and take decades of research. Importantly, no one can guarantee the success of such projects.
Rather than spending a vast sum on resurrection research, anti-extinction efforts would be much more effective if the funds, effort, and time of scientists were used to conserve species that are currently at risk of disappearing.
In simple terms, it is better to spend money on living animals than on those that are already dead.
In addition to the issues of time and money, many scientists also believe that even if successfully revived, these animals will “not be exactly like” the original species that existed, but rather a different version with altered biological traits.
Will returning animals to a world that is very different from their previous environment be suitable for them? How might their presence harm existing creatures and humans? There are even greater ethical concerns about “playing God” by manipulating the natural order, which are issues that scientists are concerned about.
A global issue or a matter for private companies?
The projects to revive the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian Tiger are collaborations between scientists in Australia and the American company Colossal Biosciences. This company develops genetic engineering and reproductive technology for conservation biology, founded by American geneticist George Church and entrepreneur Ben Lamm in 2021.
For many scientists worldwide, this seems more like a “business venture” rather than a conservation effort.
“Reshaping the planet should not be left to a select few individuals or entities. Instead, Colossal and all similar companies should do something, such as engaging the public in their research decisions, if they truly want to protect Earth’s ecosystems,” said British paleontologist Victoria Herridge.
