AW: Bringing Back Mammoths (was Dinosaur Mating Displays)

[evelyn sobielski <koreke77@yahoo.de>]

> Mary, Thanks for providing the link to this. Getting back to
> the recently discussed subject of mammoth genomes and the
> possibility of re-creating one, what's your (and the
> List's) take on the ethicality of bringing this, or any
> prehistoric species back?


Personally, I'd like to see the feasibility proven first.

How much money was sunk in the Thylacine cloning attempt already? How much land 
could have been set aside as a reserve for *living* species? There are a few 
Tasmanian endemic marsupials which are now on the brink of extinction, but 
conservation funds were squandered for this inane Thylacine cloning project. 
Odds are that 1-2 taxa won't make it to 2050, not the least because of the 
cloning project which at a crucial time siphoned off funds.

As long as cloning works as badly as it does, I am all with the majority of 
conservation biologists, who would not hesitate to clone a key individual of an 
extant but endangered species (like the banteng bull of San Diego Zoo, the last 
member of his particular lineage), but consider it a detriment that will in the 
end leave *more* animals extinct (due to neglect) that when it started.

That being said, I have no problem with cloning of plants, because it *works*. 
Attempts to clone extinct taxa ought to start there, if anywhere.


Regards,

Eike

PS: I note that the Thylacine project received a nomination for the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bent_Spoon_Award
finding itself in the dear company of homepathic "vaccines", "free energy" 
generators and "empowered" water. That about says it all.