Top 10 Extinct Species Scientists Are Trying To Bring Back To Life

TL;DR

Scientists are working on reviving extinct species, such as the woolly mammoth and the tasmanian tiger, using genetic editing and cloning technology.

Transcript

like and subscribe and you'll have amazing luck for the rest of the week what's that one prehistoric creature you wish could come back to life sit back and don't move a muscle because you might just be lucky scientists are working on reviving these 10 extinct species number 10 woolly mammoth woolly mammoths are interesting animals worthy of de-exti... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🔬 Scientists are exploring genetic editing and cloning technology to revive extinct species such as the woolly mammoth, tasmanian tiger, and Pyrenean ibex.
• 🙃 Ethical concerns arise regarding the social dynamics and conservation implications of de-extincting species like the woolly mammoth and the potential elimination of endangered species like the Asian elephant.
• 👨‍🔬 The cost and funding for de-extinction research present challenges, and the focus on funding could be directed towards more productive research.
• 🙈 Restoring extinct species' natural habitats and promoting natural breeding rather than relying solely on cloning is seen as a more effective conservation method.
• 🦤 The cultural and ecological importance of extinct species, such as the dodo and the Carolina parakeet, is considered in proposals for cloning their genetic material.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are scientists attempting to revive the woolly mammoth?

Scientists are studying preserved genetics material and sequencing the woolly mammoth's genome. They plan to edit the genome of the Asian elephant, the mammoth's closest living relative, to create a similar species.

Q: What approach are scientists taking to bring back the tasmanian tiger?

Cloning is not feasible for the tasmanian tiger. Scientists plan to create a hybrid animal with similar features by splicing thylacine DNA into the genome of a closely related species, using CRISPR gene editing technology.

Q: What happened in the failed attempt to clone the Pyrenean ibex?

The cloned fetus of the Pyrenean ibex survived for a short time but died due to lung difficulty. This failure highlighted the limitations of cloning and emphasized the need for alternative methods of preserving extinct species.

Q: Why is reviving saber-toothed cats challenging?

Although fossil specimens of saber-toothed cats have survived, it is uncertain if there is enough ancient DNA to create a viable database. Additionally, finding an unrelated surrogate and providing suitable habitats for these cats are significant obstacles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Scientists are studying the genome of woolly mammoths and exploring the possibility of creating a similar species by editing the genome of the Asian elephant.

• The tasmanian tiger's DNA has been successfully inserted into a mouse fetus, and scientists plan to create a hybrid animal with similar features through gene editing.

• The cloning of the Pyrenean ibex led to a short-lived clone, raising the need for alternative methods of preserving animal species.

• Reviving saber-toothed cats, moa birds, dodos, ground sloths, and beijing river dolphins present various challenges, including genetic samples, suitable surrogates, and natural habitats.