How do you feel about the new science of De Extinction?

[Mandrew968]

The smilodon, Carolina Parakeet, thylacine, Dodo bird, passenger pigeon, Stellar's sea cow, Caribbean monk seal, Moa birds, Elephant bird, mouth brooding frogs, mastodons, Giant sloth species and, not last nor least, mammoths of all species parially represent those exctinct animals that which might be brought back to life, via a few De Extinction methods. However, there is still debate about whether this is the correct path to go down. I would like to know how our very smart group of Palmtalkers feels about this subject...

[Funkthulhu]

There are some interesting implications here. For example, were we to bring back the passenger pigeon in numbers that would survive, could our modern ecosystem accommodate flocks of birds Billions strong? Those niches have been filled in the last 100 years by other animals, and their environment has been plowed under. interesting questions, more interesting answers.

Also, we should probably start with stuff we saw go extinct recently and not go showing off with a mammoth or something. (even though that would totally get funding)

[DoomsDave]

Playing God gets dangerous.

Which is what we're doing, causing extinctions, and ending them.

[Alicehunter2000]

Sounds good....let's do it....when we get the numbers up we can hunt them......lol.

[_Keith]

I believe in the Hole's Law, that is when you realize you're in a hole quit digging. The problem with this kind of stuff, as always unintended consequences. My biggest fear is that this is kind of like giving a loaded gun to a child. I fear that we have neither the knowledge nor the responsibility to wield such power.

[Xerarch]

There are some interesting implications here. For example, were we to bring back the passenger pigeon in numbers that would survive, could our modern ecosystem accommodate flocks of birds Billions strong? Those niches have been filled in the last 100 years by other animals, and their environment has been plowed under. interesting questions, more interesting answers.

Also, we should probably start with stuff we saw go extinct recently and not go showing off with a mammoth or something. (even though that would totally get funding)

Passenger pigeons are (were) extremely gregarious, this is partially why they went extinct. They only mate in huge numbers, so when populations fell below the critical point, they stopped breeding and the surviving bird populations depleted by attrition. I can't imagine bringing enough back in order to breed and survive. Perhaps this is what you were referring to.

[Alicehunter2000]

Mmmm ... Mammoth burger.....bet it tastes like manatee

[Pedro 65]

"Where" , would all these above mentioned extinct animals live "naturally" in our very fast diminishing "Natural World" ??, we need to look after and "protect" the animals we "have left" before they become "extinct"!!

Pete

[trioderob]

its a good idea

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Sounds good to me. Just don't let those Smilodons loose around here.

[Silas_Sancona]

Carolina parakeet, Ivory Billed Woodpecker, yes.. Wooly Mammoth, Saber Toothed Cat.. American Lion.. just doesn't sound like a great idea.. even if it would be awesome to see living/breathing specimens.

-Nathan

[Xerarch]

I second the Carolina Parakeet idea (if it's ethical to do at all) I marvel that at one time we had such an beautiful bird in this part of the world. They ranged pretty far north too, I look into the woods around here an wonder what it would have looked like to see some flying through or perched in a tree.

[Pip]

Some animals adapt better to urban environments better than others.

Eastern Rosellas do very well in Australian Cities and suburbs.

This one visits my parents garden often.

[Mandrew968]

Very pretty bird; I have seen 3 pairs of painted buntings in the past couple months. How about the Cuban Macaw? I read that recent genetic breakthroughs have allowed scientists to extract DNA from both feathers and egg shells...

[Zeeth]

Very pretty bird; I have seen 3 pairs of painted buntings in the past couple months. How about the Cuban Macaw? I read that recent genetic breakthroughs have allowed scientists to extract DNA from both feathers and egg shells...

Along those lines, would it be easier to introduce species that were closely related to the extinct species? That is, introducing the sun conure into the wild in Florida, and the scarlet macaw into the wild in Cuba. They occupy similar niches so one can presume that they would do well if the introduction was done correctly.

[Alicehunter2000]

We could put them all on an island and open a big theme park.....just got to make sure we can control them with electric fences etc...

[Alicehunter2000]

We could get this guy to run it....he looks like he knows what he's doing

[Ken Johnson]

Manate steak? I'll raise a few in my pool.

[DoomsDave]

We could get this guy to run it....he looks like he knows what he's doing

Richard-Attenborough-picture.jpg

Jerry@Tree Zoo?

[Stevetoad]

i want a pet moa bird

[Alicehunter2000]

Yes...this thread is devolving just as planned......

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

We could get this guy to run it....he looks like he knows what he's doing

Richard-Attenborough-picture.jpg

Jerry@Tree Zoo?

I resemble that remark. (except I shaved my beard)

[Mandrew968]

This thread got funny!

[Phoenikakias]

I can only consider it as positive, as long as it remains restricted for scientific purposes. Reanimating the past may help to confirmation of scientific theories!

[Funkthulhu]

http://youtu.be/FPRpX25L5DU

[John Case]

She could be a fill-in for State Dept. Barbie (aka Marie Harf)

[Xerarch]

http://youtu.be/FPRpX25L5DU

Nice video, it still amazes me that we could have taken the most numerous bird on the planted and wipe it out so quickly.

I see some parallels here with wolves, there are reasons that the wolf was extirpated from the lower 48, now that they have been reintroduced, as soon as they get out of the national parks they start butting heads with ranchers. I think it would be wonderful to see a wild wolf (provided it isn't too close) but not everyone has reason to be excited about the reintroduction of the species.

[DoomsDave]

We could get this guy to run it....he looks like he knows what he's doing

Richard-Attenborough-picture.jpg

Jerry@Tree Zoo?

I resemble that remark. (except I shaved my beard)

I resemble it, too. (I haven't shaved my Goatee of Doom.) So do a whole host of other older guys, trying to head off our personal extinctions.

Including:

Billy Joel:

Roger Whitaker

Kenny Rogers

[Kim]

I'd like to place an order for a flock of Hawaii o'o birds, please. But first I need to grow whatever it was they used to feed on... Alicehunter, I'm sorry, but you won't be allowed to visit while in possession of any firearms or other hunting tools.

[DoomsDave]

http://youtu.be/FPRpX25L5DU

Nice video, it still amazes me that we could have taken the most numerous bird on the planted and wipe it out so quickly.

I see some parallels here with wolves, there are reasons that the wolf was extirpated from the lower 48, now that they have been reintroduced, as soon as they get out of the national parks they start butting heads with ranchers. I think it would be wonderful to see a wild wolf (provided it isn't too close) but not everyone has reason to be excited about the reintroduction of the species.

The passenger pigeon was a special and unusual case. While tremendously numerous, their habit of laying only one egg at a time, and requiring large groups to nest in made them vulnerable. A disease could also have wiped them out.

That said, I suspect we wouldn't let them go extinct today.

[Gtlevine]

Bring em back! I would start with a Velociraptor and work forward.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Gtlevine

[Alicehunter2000]

Pretty incredible....didn't know the story of the passenger pigeon.

Kim don't need any.....I'll fashion something out of the native vines and coconuts.... like a cross between McGuiver and Cody from "Dual Survivor".

[Silas_Sancona]

How about Megalania that roamed Australia just 30,000 years ago?.. Pretty sure he'd keep the Cats out of the yard.

-Nathan

[Phoenikakias]

Knowledge for the knowledge! This is the key word. Good that scientific knowledge is usually profit-orientated, but it has not to be so always! Knowledge per se has its own 'value'. After all we can never be sure, whether a useles dicovery of today may prove useful in future.

[John Case]

and they said the Dodo was extinct......

[Ed in Houston]

Neanderthals that died out about 35k years ago would make great line backers for the NFL. I bet they don't have deflated balls either. Their genome has already been sequenced. So far the record oldest genome that has been sequenced is from a Homo 400k years ago. Recall that the dinosaurs are over 60 million years old.

Ed in Houston

[Phoenikakias]

Provided that they are able to understand game rules! (thou shalt not kill your opponent, just block him!)

[Mandrew968]

Neanderthals that died out about 35k years ago would make great line backers for the NFL. I bet they don't have deflated balls either. Their genome has already been sequenced. So far the record oldest genome that has been sequenced is from a Homo 400k years ago. Recall that the dinosaurs are over 60 million years old.

Ed in Houston

Doesn't Jared Allen already play in the NFL?