Development technology revives extinct species?

The idea of ​​reviving extinct species was no longer fiction, when some scientists claimed that the pigeon pigeon - the bird that once flown in North America and was extinct due to being hunted with too many heads 90s - can be reborn in the next few years.

While excited about being able to see these birds hovering again in the sky, or seeing mammoths walking in Siberia, the researchers urged those involved in the reversal of greatness. This strain considers ecosystem risks when returning these extinct species before choosing a specific species revival.

These regenerated species pose risks of threatening other animals by eating them or living parasites; threatening the safety of people and ecosystems that people depend on.

'Whenever an extinct species goes back, a series of risks also follow,' said researcher Axel Moehrenschlager of the Center for Conservation Research at the Animal Society of Calgary (Canada).

Picture 1 of Development technology revives extinct species?
Will mammoths revive?(Photo: livescience)

Moehrenschlager and colleagues developed a framework of 10 questions based on the questionnaire used by the International Association for Conservation of Science, which helps scientists systematically assess ecosystem risks. happens when bringing an extinct species back to nature.

These questions revolve around topics such as: the full cause of extinction; needs of ecosystems with regenerated species; the current living environment is still suitable for them; whether people and other species are affected by them; and the ability to remove them when regrettable events occur.

The researchers tested this set of questionnaires with 3 extinct species such as the Yangtze freshwater dolphin (China), extinct in 2006; Xerces green butterflies on the California coast (USA), extinct in 1941; and Tasmanian wolf (Australia), extinct in 1936.

These three species were chosen because researchers wanted to evaluate more accurately through species of different locations in the world and became extinct at different times.

From this assessment, they learned that there is no adequate understanding of the reasons for the extinction of freshwater dolphins, but the green butterflies and wolves appear to be heavy candidates to be reborn. However, scientists emphasize that this result only reflects the preliminary context, and requires more detailed assessments before continuing the process.

For mammoths, Ross MacPhee, a zoologist at the American Museum of Natural History, said that according to the questionnaire, mammoths are difficult to meet requirements for many reasons, The most obvious is due to their huge size.

'Getting a butterfly back is one thing. Mammoths are a completely different story. No matter where they are, they will cause drastic changes, and I don't feel it's possible. "

However, MacPhee does not think that these obstacles will prevent the return of mammoths back, or such questioning questions will make people feel less excited.

Now researchers are not required by law to consider these proposals, but the Moehrenschlager team hopes they will consider themselves when conducting research.

'We think technology is growing and the regeneration of extinct species will soon take place, but we want people to understand that this is a conservation swap problem, and we need to think about it. Extremely systematic and cautious thinking about his decision, " Moehrenschlager shared.