De-Extinction

De-Extinction: Recently, the concept of de-extinction has sparked a contentious debate,especially following the announcement by Colossal Biosciences Inc. that it had revived a species last seen 13,000 years ago.

• About De-extinction: The scientific process of bringing back extinct species using their genetic material, typically through gene editing and cloning.

o It involves reconstructing the genome of an extinct species and altering the DNA of a closely related living organism to resemble the extinct species.

o IUCN’s View: According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), de-extinction should be seen as creating proxies of extinct species, not fully replicating the original.

o Proxies: These are organisms that resemble extinct species genetically but may not match the original in behavior or physiology.

• Larger Issue of De-Extinction

o Key Concern: Is creating proxies for extinct species through genetic engineering equivalent to fully reviving the original species with all its characteristics?

o Ethical & Ecological Implications: The process raises ongoing debates on the ethics and ecological impact of biotechnological advancements.

o Conservation & Biodiversity: The discussion raises questions about the true goals of conservation and biodiversity protection.

o Human Intervention: The role of human intervention in nature is questioned, particularly in the context of a rapidly changing environment.