Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

38. Back From The Dead And Ready To Party: Passenger Pigeons, De-extinction, & Cloning with Revive & Restore's Ben Novak

Aug 18, 2023

Ben Novak, a conservation scientist at Revive & Restore, dives into the fascinating world of de-extinction and biotechnology for bird conservation. He unpacks the dramatic decline of the passenger pigeon, revealing its ecological significance and the innovative efforts to bring it back to life. The discussion covers biobanking in wildlife conservation and the ethical implications of reviving extinct species. Novak also highlights how biotechnology can help restore ecosystems impacted by climate change, offering a hopeful perspective on biodiversity's future.

01:10:46

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Ben Novak

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Quick takeaways

The rapid extinction of the passenger pigeon underscores the importance of biodiversity and our responsibility in wildlife conservation efforts.

Revive and Restore is pioneering biotechnology solutions, including gene editing and biobanking, to aid in the conservation of endangered bird species.

The podcast highlights the critical need for addressing climate change to protect wildlife habitats and the importance of public support for conservation initiatives.

Deep dives

The Rise and Fall of the Passenger Pigeon

In the mid-19th century, an estimated five billion passenger pigeons thrived in North America, showcasing astounding numbers that were hard to fathom. However, within just 25 years, this seemingly inexhaustible species drastically declined to near extinction, illustrating the devastating impact of human exploitation and habitat destruction. The passenger pigeon's rapid demise can be attributed to factors such as mass hunting for food and the use of emerging technologies, like telegraph communication, which allowed hunters to hunt flocks efficiently. This extinction event serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of biodiversity and the responsibility humans carry in protecting vulnerable species.

Intro

3min

Exploring the Opioid Crisis and Biotech Innovations

14min

Reviving the Passenger Pigeon: A Conservation Journey

30min

The Importance of Biobanking in Conservation Amid Climate Crisis

5min

Reviving Nature: Biobanking for Wildlife Conservation

10min

Urgent Action for Biodiversity: Biotechnology and Climate Change

3min

Reviving the Passenger Pigeon: A Hopeful Look at De-extinction and Ecology

2min

Exploring Biobanking and De-extinction Efforts

4min

Episode Description:

Karl and Erum sit down with Ben Novak to delve deep into the world of biotechnology and its potential to Revive and Restore extinct species. From the dramatic decline of the passenger pigeon to the innovative efforts of conservation through biotechnology, the conversation touches on the challenges and promises of using science to rejuvenate our planet's biodiversity. The trio also discusses the broader implications of biotech in areas like food and cultivation, offering listeners a comprehensive look at the intersection of science, ethics, and entrepreneurship.

Grow Everything brings to life the bioeconomy when hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories from the field and interview leaders and influencers in the space. Life is a powerful force and it can be engineered. What are we creating?

Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything

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