The Story
The future of de-extinction
Apr 28, 2025
Tom Whipple, a science writer at The Times, dives into the intriguing realm of de-extinction. He discusses the recent achievement of recreating dire wolves and the ambitious plans to bring back woolly mammoths and dodos. The conversation brings forth ethical dilemmas surrounding authenticity and biodiversity. Whipple also highlights the business potential tied to these revived species, sparking thoughts on the balance between human intervention and ecological harmony in this groundbreaking genetic revolution.
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Quick takeaways
- The biotech company's de-extinction efforts involve advanced genetic editing like CRISPR to resurrect species such as the direwolf.
- The ethical debate surrounding de-extinction questions whether resources should prioritize habitat preservation over potentially risky species reintroductions.
Deep dives
The Concept of De-Extinction
A biotech company is pioneering efforts to bring back extinct species, with the aim of reversing the extinction process and aiding species preservation. Their first notable success is the recreation of the direwolf, which last roamed North America around 10,000 years ago. This effort involves comparing the genomes of grey wolves to direwolves and selectively editing the genes to replicate traits associated with the extinct species. The overall ambition is not just to resurrect these creatures but also to restore ecological balance by reintroducing key predators into their former habitats.
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