The Infinite Monkey Cage
Is Extinction the End?
Dec 18, 2024
Join geneticist Adam Rutherford, known for his work on human history, paleontologist Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum, and ex-virologist turned comedian Ria Lina. They dive into the fascinating world of de-extinction. Can we resurrect creatures like the woolly mammoth? They explore the science behind cloning and back-breeding, weighing in on the ethical implications and potential benefits to ecosystems. The humor flows as they discuss extinct species they'd rather not have back, blending laughs with serious insights on biodiversity and our responsibilities.
42:27
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Quick takeaways
- De-extinction methods like back-breeding and cloning could theoretically revive extinct species, yet they face significant scientific and ethical challenges.
- The podcast underscores that prioritizing existing species conservation is crucial as current extinction rates escalate due to human impacts and climate change.
Deep dives
The Concept of De-Extinction
De-extinction focuses on the scientific efforts to bring extinct species back into existence, much like the fictional Jurassic Park. The discussion highlights the idea that while it may be theoretically possible to do so through various methods, such as backbreeding and genetic engineering, the reality is more complex. For instance, backbreeding attempts to resurrect traits of extinct animals by selectively breeding with their closest living relatives, like the aurochs and modern cattle. However, this approach does not create an exact genetic replica of the extinct species but rather a new organism that may share some characteristics.
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