Back from the dead?
Saved in:
| Title: | Back from the dead? (cover story) |
|---|---|
| Authors: | le Page, Michael (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | New Scientist. 7/19/2025, Vol. 267 Issue 3552, p32-35. 4p. 4 Color Photographs. |
| Subjects: | Extinct animals, Ethical problems, Biotechnology industries, Biodiversity, Environmental protection, Chromosome replication, Biological extinction, Species hybridization |
| Abstract: | The article discusses ambitious projects aimed at resurrecting extinct species, such as dire wolves and woolly mammoths, led by companies like Colossal Biosciences. While the concept of "de-extinction" captures public interest, experts highlight significant scientific and ethical challenges, noting that true genetic replication of extinct species is likely impossible due to DNA degradation over time. Current efforts often result in hybrids rather than exact replicas, raising questions about their ecological roles and the motivations behind these projects, particularly for profit-driven companies. The article emphasizes the need for a conservation benefit in such endeavors and suggests that existing species may serve as adequate ecological proxies. [Extracted from the article] |
| Copyright of New Scientist is the property of New Scientist Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | The article discusses ambitious projects aimed at resurrecting extinct species, such as dire wolves and woolly mammoths, led by companies like Colossal Biosciences. While the concept of "de-extinction" captures public interest, experts highlight significant scientific and ethical challenges, noting that true genetic replication of extinct species is likely impossible due to DNA degradation over time. Current efforts often result in hybrids rather than exact replicas, raising questions about their ecological roles and the motivations behind these projects, particularly for profit-driven companies. The article emphasizes the need for a conservation benefit in such endeavors and suggests that existing species may serve as adequate ecological proxies. [Extracted from the article] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 02624079 |
