RESURRECTION BIOTECHNOLOGY: THE BENEFITS OF BRINGING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE
The extinction of woolly mammoths led to the decline of fertile grasslands and the emergence of the frigid Arctic Tundra. It gave rise to a tinderbox world, more prone to wildfires.
Extinction of the Thylacine caused trophic downgrading, increased the spread of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease, soil erosion and an increase in invasive species.
The end of the passenger pigeon led to severe ecological damage in the form of damaged forest canopies, changed the balance between white oaks and red oaks, and increased the incidence of Lyme disease.
A fascinating solution to several ecological problems we face right now seems to be found in a branch of science known as “Resurrection Biotechnology", that aims at bringing back extinct species. While the ethical and technical challenges are immense, the potential benefits of resurrection biology could be significant for biodiversity, conservation, and ecological restoration. Some key benefits of resurrection biology based on current research and the early-stage development of these technologies are outlined below.
1. Biodiversity Restoration:
One of the primary benefits of resurrection biology is its potential to restore lost biodiversity. The extinction of species has far-reaching consequences on ecosystems, often resulting in reduced genetic diversity and the collapse of food webs. Reviving extinct species could help reverse these imbalances. For example, the re-introduction of extinct keystone species, such as the woolly mammoth, could reshape habitats like the Arctic tundra by encouraging plant diversity and changing carbon cycles. In doing so, these restored ecosystems might become more resilient to climate change.
2. Ecological Balance:
Many extinct species played critical roles in maintaining ecological balance. By re-introducing them, there is a possibility of restoring natural processes that have been disrupted by their absence. For instance, de-extinction of Aurochs, a type of prehistoric cow, may play a role in dispersing seeds, aiding in plant regeneration and ecosystem health. The presence of aurochs could influence predator-prey dynamics, potentially benefiting other species in the ecosystem.
3. Scientific and Educational Advancements:
The process of resurrection biology itself has the potential to lead to numerous scientific advancements. The development of technologies like CRISPR and advanced cloning techniques in the quest to revive extinct species can further our understanding of genetics, evolution, and biodiversity conservation. For example, the recovery of ancient DNA from the skin of ice-age creatures like woolly mammoths and giant sloths has led to the discovery of several molecules that may prove to be the answer to combat new pathogens that are on the rise each day. This could play a key role in the hunt for antibiotics.
Resurrection biology, while focusing on the past, could also play a key role in preventing future extinctions. Techniques developed for de-extinction, like gene editing, might allow scientists to bolster the genetic diversity of threatened populations, giving them a better chance of surviving in changing environments. It is important that the impacts of resurrecting species are carefully assessed to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.