Dire wolf

[missy]

Thoughts?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/07/science/dire-wolf-de-extinction-cloning-colossal/index.html

 

[Matata]

I'll be signing up soon for a "How to Train Your Velociraptor" class

 

[Matata]

My feelings are mixed mostly due to my unease with the hubris of scientists -- just because they can do something doesn't mean they should. There's a rumor that wooly mammoths are next. If you don't have sufficient habitat to sustain modern species, what sense does it make to add larger species requiring larger habitats and food sources to an already stressed global environment. What will resurrected species do to modern species when competing for space/food and what happens when interbreeding occurs? I'm skeptical that people resurrecting and planning to resurrect extinct species give much though to the implications. I fear they are so caught up in the achievement that they don't see or care about the potential consequences.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I cut my deck to the Queen of Spades- but the cards were all the same!!!
Don't Murder me

 

[Tartansparkles]

I have listened to different arguments re the pros and cons of resurrecting these extinct animals and the only argument that really resonated was the one suggesting that these fantastic projects bring in the funding that allows more beneficial, but less exciting, work to be done on the side. I suppose in the same way that the benefits of space related technologies eventually reach the average consumer. I'm not sure I'm convinced though and remain on the fence.

 

[pearlsngems]

Sounds like they are only Dire-ish. That is, genetically modified gray wolves.
Hopefully the research will lead to genetic disease prevention and cure.

 

[kenny]

A concern.
What if bring back extinct species has Dire consequences for today's earth?

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Sounds like they are only Dire-ish. That is, genetically modified gray wolves.
Hopefully the research will lead to genetic disease prevention and cure.

Yup, Dire wolves aren't wolves at all.
This is a modified wolf. But, it's a way to experiment with CRISPR.

 

[finerthings]

My feelings are mixed mostly due to my unease with the hubris of scientists -- just because they can do something doesn't mean they should. There's a rumor that wooly mammoths are next. If you don't have sufficient habitat to sustain modern species, what sense does it make to add larger species requiring larger habitats and food sources to an already stressed global environment. What will resurrected species do to modern species when competing for space/food and what happens when interbreeding occurs? I'm skeptical that people resurrecting and planning to resurrect extinct species give much though to the implications. I fear they are so caught up in the achievement that they don't see or care about the potential consequences.

My thoughts exactly, you could not have said it any better @Matata.

 

[kenny]

Many medicines, modern and ancient, have ingredients from plants and animals.
Who would have thought common bread mold, penicillium, could be processed into penicillin, an important infection-fighting drugs.

Extinct animals and plants may hold the keys to cure cancers, HIV, etc.
Bringing back extinct living things has pros and cons so I'm glad it is being considered and debated.
I support advancing technology that can do great good, but of course that comes with the risks of great harm.

Too bad so many Americans, and their beloved 47, are often anti-education and anti-science!

 

[canuk-gal]

I'll be signing up soon for a "How to Train Your Velociraptor" class

I thought you already had some?

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

A Reminder of Jeff Goldblum's one liners in JP: A lot of Michael Crichton goes a long way.
"You could, but did you stop to think you should?"

cheers--Sharon

 

[missy]

My feelings are mixed mostly due to my unease with the hubris of scientists -- just because they can do something doesn't mean they should.

This is my thinking too. Not sure it's a good idea. Maybe it could be but I also am concerned it could be abused and used in a not so good way

HI:

A Reminder of Jeff Goldblum's one liners in JP: A lot of Michael Crichton goes a long way.
"You could, but did you stop to think you should?"

cheers--Sharon

Yup

Hopefully the research will lead to genetic disease prevention and cure.

Best case scenario for sure

 

[kenny]

New, BBC ...

Dire wolves and woolly mammoths: Why scientists are worried about de-extinction

The creation of three "dire wolf" pups has raised hopes that it may be possible to resurrect extinct animals. But some scientists have grave concerns.

www.bbc.com