Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

The Return of the Tasmanian Tiger ... sort of ...

According to this article, scientists have discovered a way to insert DNA from the now-extinct Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, into a mouse embryo. While it is not yet possible to restore extinct species to life, this is an important step in that direction. This is a key reason why I support genetic engineering: when used responsibly, it can help us to repair some of the damage that humanity has done to Earth's biosphere. Let's not throw out the patch kit right when we need it most, okay?
Tags: news, science
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  • 11 comments
...go 1 level up... Expand
morningdove3202

morningdove3202

May 21 2008, 00:32:35 UTC 13 years ago

I agree... it's a scary thought that we could "fix" anything in the magnitude of extinction. Extinction is after all a natural event, and as Pagan, I still see humans as included in nature. Reintroducing an extinct species could be just as detrimental to the ecosystem as releasing an invasive foreign species into a new location.
ysabetwordsmith

ysabetwordsmith

May 21 2008, 00:37:58 UTC 13 years ago

I don't see human-caused extinction as natural. I would be less inclined to reintroduce species that died out for reasons other than human eradication. And I'd want it to be carefully done in any case.

We've torn a lot of important parts out of the biosphere. That makes me nervous. Diversity is life.

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