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Novak is among a small group of "de-extinction" engineers, a relatively fringe group of scientists that hope to use genetic engineering to protect or revive iconic animal species ravaged by human activity.
To some, de-extinction is an ecological-sized guilt trip, a species-wide Pet Cemetery horror story ripe for disaster. Yes, biodiversity is important; but who is to say that an extinct species can adapt and survive in an ecological system that's moved on since its passing? Or perhaps more importantly, what if newly-revived animals—a true "invasive species" for Earth—cause more damage than good to our fragile ecosystem?
"Why go through the trouble" is something his team gets asked, said Novak. For passenger pigeons, the answer is simple: recently, almost a
millennium[century] after their man-driven extinction, we finally understand the critical role they played in shaping the eastern North American ecosphere.
The passenger pigeon isn't extinct -- it's merely resting.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 24 2018, @05:45PM (2 children)
The analogy is keeping a fire burning or letting it go out and restarting it in the rain with no matches, lighters or flint.
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Wednesday October 24 2018, @06:10PM (1 child)
Great plan. Can I borrow your time machine? Mine seems to be stuck in the future somewhere...
(Score: 2) by RandomFactor on Wednesday October 24 2018, @09:22PM
Wait for it...
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