BBC Inside Science
Should we bring back extinct animals?
Nov 7, 2024
Brittany Schmidt, a NASA astrobiologist on the Europa Clipper mission, joins Ben Lam, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, and Tori Herridge, an expert on mammoths. They dive into the fascinating realm of de-extinction, focusing on the potential resurrection of woolly mammoths. The discussion touches on the ethical and ecological implications of bringing back extinct species. Additionally, insights on the Europa Clipper's quest for signs of extraterrestrial life highlight the intersection between space exploration and life beyond Earth.
28:14
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Quick takeaways
- Colossal Biosciences is pursuing the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth through genetic engineering, sparking ethical debates on conservation priorities.
- NASA's Europa Clipper mission seeks to explore Jupiter's moon Europa for signs of life, utilizing advanced instruments to study its icy surface and subsurface ocean.
Deep dives
Exploring Europa's Habitability
NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission aims to explore Europa, a moon of Jupiter, to assess its potential for life. The spacecraft will conduct close passes to investigate the moon's icy surface and the ocean beneath, which is crucial for understanding its habitability. Scientists plan to use various instruments, including cameras and ice-penetrating radar, to study the ocean's properties and how the icy crust changes over time. This mission represents an important step in planetary exploration, building on historical studies that date back to Galileo.
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