New developments in DNA sequencing technology may allow scientists to be able to clone extinct animals. Previously the process of genome sequencing required hundreds of machines and could only be conducted in large centres, but with the development of the ‘454 sequencer’ a whole genome can be rapidly worked out in a single laboratory using only one machine.
In order to clone an animal, firstly the DNA sequence must be known. The problem that occurs with cloning extinct species is that DNA deteriorates over time. So even with an extremely well preserved specimen gaps will occur within the genome, which must be filled in with replacement genes from a near living relative. This restricts scientists’ ability to clone animals that have been extinct for a very long time. Dinosaurs, for example, are so old that it is difficult to come across a living relative. So don’t stress over bumping into a Velocity raptor down the street any time in the near future. Much more likely is the cloning of the Woolly mammoth. Late last year the Mammoth became the first extinct animal to have its genome fully sequenced, using the DNA of its close relative, the elephant, to fill in gaps. Once an animal has had its genome sequenced, all that remains is to inject this sequence into the embryo of a close relative. This embryo would then be implanted and allowed to develop in a modern species and before you know it you have a fully developed baby in your hands.
But even though we are able to recreate magnificent animals, such as the mammoth, the question remains: should we? The actual cloning of extinct animals is one thing but, ethical issues aside, in order for any cloned animal to survive a habitat must be found that closely represents its old one.
“With the extinction of a species you not only have extinction of that species, you have complete change of habitats. You have extinction of other related species including flora and fauna. So to actually reintroduce the species is going to be very complicated.”
Another thing to consider is that there’s no point reintroducing a previously extinct species if it’s just going to become extinct again. You need to make sure that its new habitat is void of “the threatening processes that took it out in the first place.”
This means that perhaps a better model of this process would be the cloning of the Tasmanian Tiger. The habitat of this animal is largely intact and as it was human intervention that brought it to extinction, it has a reasonable chance of survival a second time round.
For more information, click here.
Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Television, 2009, Ancient Resurrection, Catalyst, accessed 11/04/09, http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2539996.htm
In order to clone an animal, firstly the DNA sequence must be known. The problem that occurs with cloning extinct species is that DNA deteriorates over time. So even with an extremely well preserved specimen gaps will occur within the genome, which must be filled in with replacement genes from a near living relative. This restricts scientists’ ability to clone animals that have been extinct for a very long time. Dinosaurs, for example, are so old that it is difficult to come across a living relative. So don’t stress over bumping into a Velocity raptor down the street any time in the near future. Much more likely is the cloning of the Woolly mammoth. Late last year the Mammoth became the first extinct animal to have its genome fully sequenced, using the DNA of its close relative, the elephant, to fill in gaps. Once an animal has had its genome sequenced, all that remains is to inject this sequence into the embryo of a close relative. This embryo would then be implanted and allowed to develop in a modern species and before you know it you have a fully developed baby in your hands.
But even though we are able to recreate magnificent animals, such as the mammoth, the question remains: should we? The actual cloning of extinct animals is one thing but, ethical issues aside, in order for any cloned animal to survive a habitat must be found that closely represents its old one.
“With the extinction of a species you not only have extinction of that species, you have complete change of habitats. You have extinction of other related species including flora and fauna. So to actually reintroduce the species is going to be very complicated.”
Another thing to consider is that there’s no point reintroducing a previously extinct species if it’s just going to become extinct again. You need to make sure that its new habitat is void of “the threatening processes that took it out in the first place.”
This means that perhaps a better model of this process would be the cloning of the Tasmanian Tiger. The habitat of this animal is largely intact and as it was human intervention that brought it to extinction, it has a reasonable chance of survival a second time round.
For more information, click here.
Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) Television, 2009, Ancient Resurrection, Catalyst, accessed 11/04/09, http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2539996.htm
