An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research

<p>With recent advances in biotechnology, the resurrection of recently extinct species has become a possibility, provoking a debate about the wisdom of what has become known as de-extinction. Regardless of the current feasibility and ethical controversies over de-extinction, ongoing technologi...

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Main Authors: Charli N. Davis, Matthew D. Moran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2016-10-01
Series:Frontiers of Biogeography
Subjects:
Online Access:http://escholarship.org/uc/item/83z3b1nw
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author Charli N. Davis
Matthew D. Moran
author_facet Charli N. Davis
Matthew D. Moran
author_sort Charli N. Davis
collection DOAJ
description <p>With recent advances in biotechnology, the resurrection of recently extinct species has become a possibility, provoking a debate about the wisdom of what has become known as de-extinction. Regardless of the current feasibility and ethical controversies over de-extinction, ongoing technological advancement is likely to result in resurrected species in the near future. In our opinion, de-extinction will be followed by proposals for reintroduction into the wild. We argue that this development could be valuable for the advancement of ecological understanding and conservation.  However, the current conversations are happening in a vacuum. We therefore call for the initiation of field experiments using physiological and ecological surrogates. This type of research could shed light on the potential impacts of resurrected animals on modern ecosystems. While this research would have challenges, it could provide valuable information on th ecology of the past and better prepare scientists and wildlife managers for de-extinction.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-704f7a1fca704fdcb2e93ecd21a1c6e72025-08-20T01:56:06ZengPensoft PublishersFrontiers of Biogeography1948-65962016-10-018310.21425/F58328431ark:13030/qt83z3b1nwAn argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field researchCharli N. Davis0Matthew D. Moran1Hendrix CollegeHendrix College<p>With recent advances in biotechnology, the resurrection of recently extinct species has become a possibility, provoking a debate about the wisdom of what has become known as de-extinction. Regardless of the current feasibility and ethical controversies over de-extinction, ongoing technological advancement is likely to result in resurrected species in the near future. In our opinion, de-extinction will be followed by proposals for reintroduction into the wild. We argue that this development could be valuable for the advancement of ecological understanding and conservation.  However, the current conversations are happening in a vacuum. We therefore call for the initiation of field experiments using physiological and ecological surrogates. This type of research could shed light on the potential impacts of resurrected animals on modern ecosystems. While this research would have challenges, it could provide valuable information on th ecology of the past and better prepare scientists and wildlife managers for de-extinction.</p>http://escholarship.org/uc/item/83z3b1nwConservation, de-extinction, field experiments, re-wilding, reintroduction
spellingShingle Charli N. Davis
Matthew D. Moran
An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research
Frontiers of Biogeography
Conservation, de-extinction, field experiments, re-wilding, reintroduction
title An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research
title_full An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research
title_fullStr An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research
title_full_unstemmed An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research
title_short An argument supporting de-extinction and a call for field research
title_sort argument supporting de extinction and a call for field research
topic Conservation, de-extinction, field experiments, re-wilding, reintroduction
url http://escholarship.org/uc/item/83z3b1nw
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