Have you ever seen the movie “Jurassic Park” or one of its sequels?
It tells the story of an eccentric businessman who creates a theme park of cloned dinosaurs from prehistoric DNA, only to have his dreams ruined when the resurrected Tyrannosaurus rex and other ferocious predators escape and endanger the lives of the no-longer-thrilled human visitors.
Now, a team of scientists and entrepreneurs has announced the formation of a company that aims to genetically resurrect the woolly mammoth thousands of years after it went extinct. If they can pull it off, would it be a magnificent achievement? Or should we heed the warning of “Jurassic Park” and never try to bring back long-extinct animals? Are you excited by the news that resurrecting long-gone creatures may one day may be possible? Does it fill you with dread? Should Colossal’s efforts should be applauded or feared? Should we bring back animals from extinction? Why or why not? What do you see as the possible benefits and dangers?
If you answered yes, what animals would you like to see revived? The mythical Dodo bird? The famed saber-toothed tiger? Or even a Tyrannosaurus rex?
Mr. Zimmer raises many ethical questions about the project, such as, “Is it humane to produce an animal whose biology we know so little about?” and “Who gets to decide whether they can be set loose?” How would you answer these questions? Do you think it is ethical to resurrect extinct creatures?
Dr. Church believes that reviving woolly mammoths could help the environment and lessen climate change. How persuasive do you find this argument?
What legal limits, if any, should be placed on attempts to genetically resurrect extinct animals? Should they be banned in any form? Or should scientists be permitted to freely research and experiment with the genetic engineering of extinct animals? Explain your thinking.
Now, a team of scientists and entrepreneurs has announced the formation of a company that aims to genetically resurrect the woolly mammoth thousands of years after it went extinct. If they can pull it off, would it be a magnificent achievement? Or should we heed the warning of “Jurassic Park” and never try to bring back long-extinct animals? Are you excited by the news that resurrecting long-gone creatures may one day may be possible? Does it fill you with dread? Should Colossal’s efforts should be applauded or feared? Should we bring back animals from extinction? Why or why not? What do you see as the possible benefits and dangers?
If you answered yes, what animals would you like to see revived? The mythical Dodo bird? The famed saber-toothed tiger? Or even a Tyrannosaurus rex?
Mr. Zimmer raises many ethical questions about the project, such as, “Is it humane to produce an animal whose biology we know so little about?” and “Who gets to decide whether they can be set loose?” How would you answer these questions? Do you think it is ethical to resurrect extinct creatures?
Dr. Church believes that reviving woolly mammoths could help the environment and lessen climate change. How persuasive do you find this argument?
What legal limits, if any, should be placed on attempts to genetically resurrect extinct animals? Should they be banned in any form? Or should scientists be permitted to freely research and experiment with the genetic engineering of extinct animals? Explain your thinking.
