Cloning endangered species

Some people see cloning as a way to remedy the problem of endangered species, and to reproduce those that have already disappeared.

In order to use cloning to recreate a species, you would need to:

• obtain intact DNA, which is difficult;
• establish a community of animals that could reproduce, which is difficult if you are starting off with only a few and especially if they are all of one sex;
• ensure the genetic diversity of the species, which is difficult to do with just one source individual;
• find a natural habitat for this species; otherwise they would be condemned to live in a zoo.

Mammoth tooth (Pleistocene).

A piece of amber containing insects (Pleistocene).

Could we recreate the dinosaurs? No. DNA only survives for 10 000 years. The dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago.

If you were paralysed and the only treatment that would revive the use of your legs required embryonic stem cells, would you accept it?    Yes No   View Results