Scientists challenge the dream of bringing extinct species back to life
Could extinction itself become a thing of the past? Advances in biotechnology, including ancient DNA sequencing, genome analysis and gene editing, have led some to believe that it may be possible to bring extinct species back to life.
Scientists have cast doubt on the notion of reviving extinct species, arguing that genetic engineering cannot truly reverse extinction. In a paper published in Biology Letters, researchers Andrew Davinack and Charlotte K. Daniels of Wheaton College contend that even with advances in biotechnology, it is not feasible to bring back extinct species like woolly mammoths or saber-toothed cats.
Their critique focuses on the Dire Wolf Project, where Colossal Biosciences modified cells from living gray wolves with 20 genetic edits to create cloned animals. However, these animals remain genetically engineered gray wolves, lacking the complete restoration of the extinct predator's evolutionary history and genetic diversity.
The researchers emphasize that while such genetic modifications may offer scientific or conservation value, they do not constitute the return of true extinct lineages. Furthermore, they argue that even if scientists could recreate an extinct animal's genetic makeup, restoring the environment in which it evolved remains impossible, including its relationships with other organisms and its specific ecological context.
While cloning from preserved cells or embryos preserves a direct biological link to an extinct species, the researchers believe the de-extinction technologies could be better utilized to protect currently endangered species by restoring genetic diversity and mitigating the negative impacts of inbreeding.
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