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Scientists are working on bringing back the extinct Thylacine, commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger, through genetic engineering. The last known individual died in captivity in 1936, but researchers have been able to extract DNA from preserved specimens and are working on sequencing the genome. The ultimate goal is to create a living Thylacine through cloning or gene editing. However, there are ethical and practical considerations to be addressed, such as the potential impact on the ecosystem and the welfare of the animal. The project is still in its early stages, but it could pave the way for the resurrection of other extinct species.
Although the last known thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, died in captivity in 1936, scientists in Australia are attempting to bring the species back through a process called “gene editing.” The thylacine was a marsupial predator with striped fur similar to a dog and powerful jaws that could open up to 90 degrees. Human population growth and climate change are believed to have forced the species out of its native range on mainland Australia around 3,000 years ago. The Thylacine Integrated Genetic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Lab at the University of Melbourne plans to take the stem cells of a close relative of the thylacine, a small marsupial called a dunnart, and combine it with thylacine cells to create an embryo, which would be implanted into a female marsupial of a species closer to the size of a thylacine. The TIGRR project aims to use the technology developed to assist with breeding programs for other marsupials that are currently at risk of extinction.
The thylacine is an ideal candidate for de-extinction because its habitat has not experienced significant change since its extinction. This is not the case for most extinct animals, where habitat loss is often the primary cause of extinction.
Interestingly, some naturalists who observed the thylacine noted that they occasionally walked or hopped on their hind legs like kangaroos.
FAQ
1. What is a thylacine?
A thylacine, also known as a Tasmanian tiger or Tasmanian wolf, was a carnivorous marsupial that lived in Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. The thylacine went extinct in the early 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss.
2. How are scientists trying to bring back thylacines?
Scientists are attempting to bring back thylacines through a process called de-extinction, which involves using genetic material from preserved specimens to create new individuals. They are also studying the DNA of thylacines to understand their behavior, ecology, and physiology.
3. What are the challenges in bringing back thylacines?
One of the major challenges in bringing back thylacines is the availability and quality of genetic material. Most of the preserved specimens have degraded DNA, which makes it difficult to extract and use for cloning. Additionally, even if the cloning is successful, there are questions about the ethics and ecology of reintroducing a species that has been extinct for decades.
4. What are the potential benefits of bringing back thylacines?
Bringing back thylacines could provide valuable insights into the ecology and behavior of the species, as well as the genetic and biological factors that contribute to extinction. It could also help to restore ecosystems and balance predator-prey relationships.
5. Are there any other extinct species that scientists are trying to bring back?
Yes, scientists are also working on de-extinction projects for other species, including the woolly mammoth, passenger pigeon, and dodo bird.
6. What are the potential risks of bringing back extinct species?
Bringing back extinct species could have unintended consequences, such as disrupting ecosystems, spreading diseases, or introducing genetic abnormalities. It could also divert resources and attention away from conservation efforts for currently endangered species. Additionally, there are ethical questions about the value and purpose of de-extinction.
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