Could you imagine a world where woolly mammoths and saber tooth tigers once again roamed the earth? Well, with the science of cloning being made better each and every day, this could be fully possible. The cloning of extinct animals, also known as de-extinction, resurrection biology and species revivalism, is one of the topics that is being discussed in the scientific world. How would having animals who have been gone for thousands of years suddenly be reintroduced into the ecosystem affect our world?
The Pros of Cloning Extinct Animals
1. Help To Repair Our Planet
Some of the animals that have gone extinct played a vital role in sustaining their ecosystems. These animals, which are known as “keystone” animals, ensured that the land was rich for growth and that the population of other animals remained in harmony. By bringing them back and slowly reintroducing them, we could potentially repair the damage that has been done to our ecosystem.
2. A Deeper Insight Into Evolution
Many animals that we have today are in some way related to species that have been long gone and extinct. If we were to bring these animals back to the planet for scientific study, we would be able to connect important links in the evolution of animals, and possibly even man.
3. Helpful For Endangered Species Too
If scientists could successfully begin cloning extinct animals, and slowly build up their genetic variations, they would be able to use the same techniques on species that are close to the same fate. There are thousand upon thousands of animals that are on the endangered species list, which means they are on the brink of extinction. The techniques used to bring back extinct animals could be used to save ones as well.
4. Wonder And Amazement
Most people cannot begin to fathom the size and awesomeness of a woolly mammoth. Could you image being able to go and see one in the flesh, walking around? It is this level of curiosity and amazement that has many people excited about these possibilities.
The Cons of Cloning Extinct Animals
1. Endless Unknowns
There is absolutely no way to predict the outcome that cloning extinct animals could possibly have. This is true with human interaction, mutations, diseases, environment, and other things we couldn’t possibly be prepared for.
2. Bringing Ancient Sickness To The World
Thousands of years ago, there where different animals as well as different diseases that plagued the earth. Many of these illnesses where likely carried by the animals that are now extinct. When they went extinct, they brought the illness with them. If we begin to bring back extinct animals, we have no way of knowing what will be brought back with them, including diseases that have been dormant for tens of thousands of years.
3. It’s Playing God
Another big argument against bringing back extinct animals is that they are extinct for a reasons. The world has a natural system, predetermined by God, and man should not put their hands into it. Cloning and bringing back extinct animals could open a Pandora’s box of issues.