The Inquiry Is extinction a thing of the past?
11 snips
Apr 30, 2025 Torill Kornfeldt, a science journalist and author, delves into the exciting yet controversial realm of de-extinction. She discusses the recent success of cloning dire wolves using ancient DNA, sparking debates on the ethics and ecological impacts of such endeavors. As we face alarming species decline, Kornfeldt raises critical questions about the practicality of reviving extinct species while emphasizing the urgent need for real conservation efforts. What does de-extinction truly mean for our planet's future? Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Dire Wolf Puppy's Remarkable Origin
- Colossal Biosciences used ancient DNA and gene editing to create dire wolf-like puppies named Romulus and Remus.
- They used dog surrogates to birth the puppies and are not releasing them into the wild.
Sixth Mass Extinction Looms
- Extinction is irreversible and species loss is accelerating towards a sixth mass extinction.
- This new extinction event will drastically alter life on Earth if unchecked.
Solve Root Causes First
- Protecting species requires addressing root causes like poaching, not just increasing numbers via de-extinction.
- Conservation strategies must also improve habitat and enforcement to be effective.
