Jurassic Park is fantasy movie, right? Well, maybe not as much as we might think. Scientists aren’t looking to bring back the dinosaurs right now but they are considering whether or not to bring another large creature back from the depths of extinction; the woolly mammoth.
According to an NPR report from September of 2021, a private company named Colossal is working on gene editing techniques that, they say, enables them to set a goal of reintroducing woolly mammoth sometime this decade. In theory, these mammoths would be released in the Arctic tundra.
The science is amazing and incredible, but brings with it the critical question: Should we do this?
Some theorize that reintroducing the mammoth would be good for the environment and may even help fight climate change. Others disagree. Nobody really knows. Colossal says they are “working towards bringing back species who left an ecological void as they went extinct.” But the risks and benefits are difficult to assess.
Take a look at the original NPR article for the full story. It’s worth a read even though this was first reported a few years ago.
For more RebEarth articles and a variety of other stories, visit Five O’Clock Shadow, a magazine style blog by Todd Fulginiti. Todd is also a staff writer at Wise & Shine Magazine. For Todd’s musical activities visit www.toddfulginiti.com.
Wow…this is news to me. I’ll take a peek at the NPR article. I don’t know how much of a human predator a woolly mammoth might be (seems unlikely) but I hear you about the Jurassic Park line of thinking…what else might we bring back w/o understanding the consequences in the broadest terms? I’m all for the ecological benefits but this sounds like scary tinkering with nature/natural forces, too. Thanks for sharing, Todd. 😉
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Thanks for reading Victoria- I also find the idea unsettling. I think I’d feel better if we brought back more recent species, ones that we had first hand experiences with in modern times.
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That would make a lot of sense to me…less frightful but still productive! 😉
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Thank you for this very interesting post. How do I feel about – not sure, I need to know more…but my gut tells me that in this instance we should leave well alone. Janet
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I’m with you Janet.
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I’d have some concerns too. Even without thinking about resurrecting extinct species, I look at areas where animals have been wiped out and there can be so much resistance towards reintroduction programmes.
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That’s true .
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