I read this book.
It ended badly.
L
As far as I know, the Thylacine was not hunted into extinction. Therefore, it is not the case that you could “bring it back” and just convince people not to hunt them, and then enjoy a world full of thriving Thylacines.
Rather, I think it is more accurate to say that the Thylacine could not compete in the world. The environment was not suitable, the food was not available, the conditions were not amenable. If you “bring them back” they are likely to go extinct again.
You could also try to bring back the Ford Pinto, but they just aren’t going to sell.
Well... no.
It developed tumors on it's face. Probably from a virus from some of the other species that were imported. The tumors grew until it could no longer see to hunt or eat.
This was what caused the species to die out.
So if you clone it to "bring it back" you are going to run into the same problem. Because the virus is still out there.
Playing God is the most extreme form of arrogance. It is guaranteed to be a failure. It’s also a waste of time, money, and resources. Isn’t there something more productive and beneficial that these so-called scientists could be doing?
Stupid idea. Species go extinct for a reason, not all are due to mankind.
Not needed. A very expensive exercise in a vanity project.
Will keep dozens of scientists and lab assistants employed for a long time.
Some extinct animals would not really fit in today’s world.
There may be very few areas in which they could live and thrive without taking areas already populated with wild animals.
Wild animals are steadily losing free roaming, open spaces because Man continues to encroach on those spaces. The Human wants to build housing or mine for underground minerals.
Where would a Wooly Mamoth live in today’s world?
Being on exhibit in a zoo or gated facility is not a natural existence. Rain forrests are being destroyed year by year.
There goes another natural hiding spot for many now extinct animals.
The grand prize for this is to resurrect Woolly Mammoths.
Several Mammoth in good condition have been recovered from glacial ice, and Russia has set aside land in Siberia that is believed would be ideal for them.
Once a fertilized embryo has been created, or a blend with elephant DNA, it would be implanted into a female elephant. Then once there is a male and female breeding pair, they would gradually replace the elephant DNA with mammoth DNA until they had genetically pure mammoths.
Then, just grow the herd until the species is self sustaining.
Species go extinct because they can’t survive in the environment they are in. Bring them back and they will go extinct again.
Why not? We already have neanderthals roaming around in Congress.
Okay, I’ll confess.
Some years ago when the news came out that a baby mastadon found intact in the frozen wilds of Siberia had provided scientists with a genome and the Russians were considering cloning said baby mastadon, I did let my imagination momentarily run away with me.
I mean, how cool would it be it have a pet baby mastadon? I pictured myself riding my cute baby mastadon to the grocery store, hooking my plastic shopping bags over his curly tusks on the ride home, and selling his poops as garden fertilizer and deer repellant.
But my humorous little fantasy only lasted a few fond moments.
No, just no. Let’s not be quick try resurrect extinct species. Who wants a T. rex invading their back yard and devouring their children?
If they “de-extinct” it can we drop the pretentious Greek name that sounds like something in a vitamin pill and just call it a “Tasmanian Tiger” again.
I envision the day when a future expedition by our HumaCricket descendants accidently discovers some pre-SwampVax DNA and clones up some cute little humans for the zoo. And for snacks.
Maybe they’ll resurrect a classical liberal?
I once heard a talk that had a quick aside onto this topic that showed just how bad the legalities of such work / ‘de-extinction’ would be, at least here in the USofA areas. The 1st problem area is the ‘Endangered Species Act’ (ESA) which makes the preservation of a near extinct life form a priority. So a successful resurrection is accomplished and while the ‘team’ is congratulating themselves, there comes a knock on the door and a POSSE of legal eagles and police-types troop in to ‘save’ that which was meaningless just the day prior.
Now remember, the ESA applies to both life form AND environment as being essential for preservation. For grins, let us postulate a male smilodon gracilis (sabretooth tiger) has been restored. As the sole remaining example, a female example is next on the list of requirements (unless thee is still some dispute about genders at that time). While that is going on, the environment / biome needs to be established. So is the State of Iowa enough or should Kansas be added? Then there is the proper prey species as well. Mega-Bison anyone? How many?
Anyway this ‘problem’ just keeps propagating ad infinitum. Hilarious but frightening as well! Be careful what you dream, it can also be your nightmare as well!
Whenever a conversation like this begins in the public domain, you can be sure the scientists are already all over it and well on the way towards doing whatever it is that we’re supposed to be debating the “right and wrong” of.
You can’t teach, preach, or be an example of morality to science guys. It will all go right over their heads. That’s just how it is.
I imagine there are a few benefits to humanity in scientific efforts to revive extinct species. I can’t really think of any myself - that’s why I never excelled at writing grants.
Since the faux Thylacine won’t be a REAL Thylacine, then we’re just tossing an unknown species into the wild.
If that logic holds true, then we could create ANYTHING in the laboratories of Dr. Moreau and release them, all the while feeling proud of ourselves for upstaging GOD in the creation biz.
Let’s start with all those reptiles in the Everglades, native and invasive. Maybe a Python-Alligator crossbreed, 20 feet long, hungry as hell and faster than a racehorse. Sounds like fun, huh?
I just want a Dodo bird.