a16z Podcast
a16z Podcast: Making a (Really) Wild Geo-Engineering Idea Real
Jul 18, 2017
Ross Andersen, a senior editor at The Atlantic and author of "Welcome to Pleistocene Park," discusses the ambitious project of resurrecting Ice Age ecosystems in Arctic Siberia with lab-grown woolly mammoths. He explores the complexities of gene editing and the ethical dilemmas in playing God. The conversation also delves into the role of large herbivores in combating climate change and the revolutionary concept of using artificial wombs for gestation. Throughout, Andersen emphasizes the need for long-term thinking in conservation and the impact of human actions on ecosystems.
30:13
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Quick takeaways
- The Pleistocene Park initiative aims to combat climate change by rewilding grasslands with lab-grown woolly mammoths, emphasizing ecosystem interdependencies.
- Utilizing advanced gene editing techniques like CRISPR raises ethical concerns about the welfare of engineered species and the socioeconomic implications for local communities.
Deep dives
Reviving the Ice Age Biome
A group of Russian scientists in Arctic Siberia is attempting to resurrect an ice age biome through a project known as Pleistocene Park. This initiative aims to rewild grasslands populated with lab-grown woolly mammoths, targeting climate change mitigation as a primary motivation. The permafrost in Arctic regions, which has been stable for thousands of years, is now thawing due to climate change, releasing significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. By restoring the grassland ecosystem, these scientists believe it will help keep the permafrost frozen and reduce the release of greenhouse gases.
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