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Arguments For Cloning Extinct Species

Decent Essays

Introduction:
In 2003 the Pyrenean Ibex, an extinct subspecies, was successfully cloned and brought back to life albeit only for a few minutes (Zimmer, 2015.) Thus bringing the idea of cloning extinct species itself to life. Newton (2015) shows that in animals cloning is achieved by transplanting the nucleus of one animal into an enucleated egg cell of another. Cloning has become more precise and increasingly common in our rapidly progressing society (Newton, 2015) however from this a debate as to whether these technologies should be used to clone and bring back extinct animals has arisen. A central reason as to why this causes such a large debate is due to the apparent defiance of nature that is occurring (Zimmer, 2015.) There are many arguments …show more content…

Possible Environmental Effects:
Proponents for the cloning of extinct species argue that by reintroducing them into their past habitat they will fill the niche they left behind and positively affect the ecosystem. For example the passenger pigeon once travelled in huge flocks and in doing so caused forest disturbances, leading to forest regeneration. As these disturbances now no longer occur on a regular basis by reintroducing the pigeon into these areas the forest will be positively affected and biodiversity will increase. (The Great Passenger Pigeon comeback n.d.)
However Sherkow and Greely (2013) point out in the years since its extinction the ecosystem and human activity levels where the passenger pigeon was once found have dramatically changed and could easily lead to the reintroduction of the bird causing damage and even being seen as a pest. Additionally as animals became extinct because of changes to the environment, either natural or human, there is a high chance that the animal will once more become extinct if reintroduced to the same environment (Zimmer, …show more content…

Michael Archer believes that as a society we have a duty to animals that became extinct due to direct human impacts (Zimmer 2013.)
When the extinct Pyrenean Ibex was successfully cloned the newborn kid died in minutes due to lung deformities causing breathing issues (Gray & Dobson 2009.) A 2013 study of cloned piglets led to the findings that of the piglets born 48 % died in their first month and 29.5% of them exhibited malfunctions (Schmidt et al 2015.) From this the issue of a cloned animal’s welfare is raised showing that unless technologies advance significantly there is a high risk of suffering and death for such animals (Sherkow & Greely 2013.)
Another ethically problematic area is that of money, by cloning extinct species large profits may be made off of the animals, especially well-known ones, from things such as donations and private funding (Cottrell et al 2014.) This would allow the animals to be treated well and for further cloning efforts. However this leads to the issue of money being spent in the wrong places for the wrong reasons, where as it could be better spent on conserving the many species at current risk of extinction (Four reasons against de-extinction

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