De-Extinction:
Is the process of inserting DNA of extinct
organisms into a host egg in order to
recreate the extinct species. This cloning
process is called somatic cell nuclear
transplantation and requires well
preserved DNA. In fact, that is why the
mammoth and the passenger pigeon
were chosen to be recreated because
both have well preserved DNA and their
genome can be reconstructed from the
well preserved remains. De-extinction
would not be possible using ancient
DNA. Therefore, the fictional story
Jurassic Park would not be possible due
to the quality of the remnant tissues and
the lack of DNA present in the fossilized
remains.
Video of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
Animation:
http://www.dnatube.com/video/563/Somat
ic-Cell-Nuclear-Transfer-Animation
Image: http://www.biology.iupui.edu/biocourses/Biol540/12cloningfullCSS.html
Image: http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bild-893744-483223.html
The video linked below reviews the Passenger Pigeon Project and the process used in this de-extinction project.
Recipe for Resurrection: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/deextinction/
What are the issues surrounding the de-extinction projects?
Here are some of ideas that have been presented for and against the de-extinction project.
Concerns Associated with De-Extinction Projects
Reviving extinct organisms can have a
destabilizing effect on the environment.
Unintended consequences such as disease
may result.
Distractions may stop funds from going
towards current conservation projects.
Conservation dependency of de-extinct
species may be high; reintroduced organisms
will require ongoing support to maintain the
new population.
Reintroduced organisms may not have the
environmental mechanisms to adapt to
change.
Benefits Associated with De-Extinction Projects
De-extinct species may provide ecological
partners like pollinators or seed dispersers to
maintain current diversity.
Species that have been reinstated will be
flagship species that inspire habitat
protection and benefit other species.
Research on de-extinction can also be used
to maintain organisms that are endangered
or threatened.
Research will benefit other science fields
including agricultural and medical sectors.
People have been the cause of many
extinctions and are also responsible for
reviving extinct organisms.
Watch the ted talks to gain a better understanding of issues surrounding de-extinction.
TedxDeExtinction Videos Cover the controversy surrounding de-extinction projects
http://tedxdeextinction.org/
References:
Ted x DeExtinction Videos
http://tedxdeextinction.org/
Recipe for Resurrection:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/deextinction/
Successful de-extinction project:
Extinct frog resurrected with de-extinction technology
The Hopes Australian Lazarus Project provides stepping stone for other extinct species such as the Tasmanian
tiger, Australian Associated Press, theguardian.com, Thursday 21 November 2013 21.11 EST
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/22/extinct-frog-resurrected-with-de-extinction-technology
Video of Frog Giving Birth: YouTube video with a young and hyperactive presenter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA9yjKk7xXk
National Geographic Video of a male frog giving birth: Less dramatic
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/frog_strawberrypoisondart_tadpole?source=relatedvideo
The Mammoth Cometh
Bringing extinct animals back to life is really happening and its going to be very, very cool. Unless it ends up
being very, very bad.
By NATHANIEL RICHFEB. 27, 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/magazine/the-mammoth-cometh.html?_r=0
Back From the Dead: Why De-Extinction May Save Humanity
By John Roach, July 24, 2014
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/back-dead-why-de-extinction-may-save-humanity-n164226
Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Volume 29, Issue 3, March 2014, Pages 140147
Reintroducing resurrected species: selecting DeExtinction candidates
Philip J. Seddon1, , Axel Moehrenschlager2, John Ewen3
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534714000214
