What if scientists were able to save endangered species from extinction? Why not? We, as humans constantly blame ourselves for the destruction of our environment and the loss of the animals this destruction creates. So, what if we could help, by cloning?
The Pyrenean Ibex, a goat-like species that was listed as extinct has been cloned. With help from domestic goats scientists were able to clone the extinct animals and "resurrect" the extinct (1). The last Pyrenean Ibex died nine years ago. Jose Folch (University of Zaragoza in northern Spain) used a cell from the last living Ibex and inserted it into an egg of a regular goat. Though the process of the cloning was inefficient the fact that scientists were able to clone an extinct species is quite amazing. The clone that was created died of a lung infection seven minutes after the birth (2). Though the clone died very quickly, its very possible the infection was not related to the cloning process. Using nuclear transfers, 57 goats received embryos, seven became pregnant, which led to one birth.
Again, this sparks the controversy of "playing God." Yet if we as humans could make -up for the one of the many mistakes we have made, the cloning of endangered animals may not be a bad idea. Do we not play God as we kill them? Killing innocent animals who have done us no harm seems wrong in my opinion, and being able to save a species is a blessing.
1. "The Big Question: Could cloning be the answer to saving endangered species from extinction? -." 19 May 2009
2. "Hello again, Pyrenean ibex: Can cloning resurrect an extinct species?: Scientific American Blog." Science News, Articles and Information | Scientific American. 19 May 2009
