Woolly Mammoth Clones Closer Than Ever, Thanks to Genome Sequencing

Live Science ^ | 07/03/2015 | by Tia Ghose, Senior Writer

[SeekAndFind]

Scientists are one step closer to bringing a woolly mammoth back to life.

A new analysis of the woolly mammoth genome has revealed several adaptations that allowed the furry beasts to thrive in the subzero temperatures of the last ice age, including a metabolism that allowed them to pack on insulating fat, smaller ears that lost less heat and a reduced sensitivity to cold.

The findings could enable researchers to "resurrect" the ice-age icon — or at least a hybridized Asian elephant with a few of the physical traits of its woolly-haired cousin, said study co-author Vincent Lynch, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago.

"It won't be that long till we're technically able to do it, but whether we should is a different question," Lynch told Live Science, referring to cloning a mammoth. "I don't think we should."

[Paladin2]

Bettrr than recreating velociraptors.

[Sacajaweau]

mad scientists..........

[P.O.E.]

Beer braised mammoth with a side of fresh-cut fries.

[goodwithagun]

What’s with the velociraptor #microaggression? Speciesist!

[KarlInOhio]

Only if you can hunt it with a spear. Farm raised or even rifle hunted mammoths are for wimps.

[JoeProBono]

[babble-on]

trudging across the tundra, mile after mile, trudging across the tundra, all the way down to the Parish of St. Alfonzo

[cripplecreek]

"It won't be that long till we're technically able to do it, but whether we should is a different question," Lynch told Live Science, referring to cloning a mammoth. "I don't think we should."

Just because a movie said it was a bad idea doesn't mean there is any real danger. Unless they plan on producing hundreds or thousands of breeding pairs and turning them loose on the tundra, a fail to see the problem.

[Starboard]

Can it be long before PETA weighs in on this? lol

[Parmy]

WHY? How is this going further the advancement of mankind and human relations?

I know flame away. But to do this has as much value as cloning a sheep, especially since most ewes have twins the natural way.

[JRandomFreeper]

Seeking through menu list.....

/johnny

[HLPhat]

>>Bettrr than recreating velociraptors.

Or...

[grania]

Better than recreating velocciraptors

Anything that can happen, given enough time and opportunity, will happen.

I could imagine a zoo of DNA manipulated animals, and it getting out of control as they keep going for scarier and more impressive. I could imagine people wanting some cat attributes in a dog, etc, leading to designer animals.

Maybe like a dog-gerbil? A dog that can exercise itself on a wheel. etc (my attempt at humor)

[elcid1970]

Soon scientists will recreate Fred Flintstone’s favorite: brontosaurus burgers!

Pit cooked barbecued mammoth will do for now, though.

[bgill]

Bring back saber toothed tigers and t-rex!

[IMR 4350]

Dog wheels were actually used at one time to power small hand or foot powered farm equipment that had been converted to run on a pulley system with a power source.

The dog wheel was used as the power source instead of an engine or motor.

Might still be used in some places without any other power source.

[grania]

I learn something unexpected on FR every day. I never did hear of "dog wheels" before.

My canine companion would be miserable with that. His idea of exercise is tugging me around the neighborhood, battling with me in his attempts to snare some fresh chipmunk meat.

[SunkenCiv]

• BOFFIN: Will I soon be able to CLONE a MAMMOTH? YES. Should I? NO
• First comprehensive analysis of the woolly mammoth genome completed
• Wooly Mammoth Genes Inserted into Elephant Cells
• Scientists Take DNA Sample From Woolly Mammoth Leg for Cloning Project
• Scientists Aim to Revive the Woolly Mammoth

[tumblindice]