4 ms·

I wonder if we now have the technology to clone these beasts, given the huge trove of DNA. Tiresome bioethics arguments aside ("We probably can, but should we?

I wonder if we now have the technology to clone these beasts, given the huge trove of DNA. Tiresome bioethics arguments aside ("We probably can, but should we?"), it would be fascinating to witness a revival of Pleistocene fauna... maybe Neanderthals as well.

abeppu 6y ago
I think it's unclear whether the technology yet exists but it may not be far off -- and we could de-extinct ecosystems, not just single organisms, potentially. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene_Park#Animals_that_could_be_placed_in_the_park_if_revived_from_extinction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene_Park#Animals_that_... Some of the possibilities for animals that could plausibly be brought back are kinda wild. I'd love to see a living moa for example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-extinction#Future_potential_candidates_and_their_proxy_for_de-extinction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-extinction#Future_potential...
- scns 6y ago
  You can get a dog cloned in South Korea for ~80_000$
bryanrasmussen 6y ago
What would the expected profits of Pleistocene Park vs. the security risks look like.
- aksss 6y ago
  It’ll be fine, totally fine. We’ll put the park on an island, that way it’s isolated, see? Walls, strict safety policies, emergency procedures. Also, they’re just ancient animals, they don’t have the advanced intelligence to outwit us.
  - ugh123 6y ago
    Also be sure to put the entire park's security and electrical system in the hands of a former postal worker.
- _ph_ 6y ago
  With many species, there is basically no risk. While an escaping bear or tiger is of course a risk if you run into that individuum, humans are far too good at dealing with those species, as the constant extinction-risk for their modern cousins shows. Most of the damage to ecological systems is done today by invasive species, which are either actively brought to new regions or travel secretly along with humans.

abeppu 6y ago

I think it's unclear whether the technology yet exists but it may not be far off -- and we could de-extinct ecosystems, not just single organisms, potentially. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene_Park#Animals_that_could_be_placed_in_the_park_if_revived_from_extinction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene_Park#Animals_that_... Some of the possibilities for animals that could plausibly be brought back are kinda wild. I'd love to see a living moa for example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-extinction#Future_potential_candidates_and_their_proxy_for_de-extinction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-extinction#Future_potential...

scns 6y ago
You can get a dog cloned in South Korea for ~80_000$

bryanrasmussen 6y ago

What would the expected profits of Pleistocene Park vs. the security risks look like.

aksss 6y ago
It’ll be fine, totally fine. We’ll put the park on an island, that way it’s isolated, see? Walls, strict safety policies, emergency procedures. Also, they’re just ancient animals, they don’t have the advanced intelligence to outwit us.
- ugh123 6y ago
  Also be sure to put the entire park's security and electrical system in the hands of a former postal worker.
_ph_ 6y ago
With many species, there is basically no risk. While an escaping bear or tiger is of course a risk if you run into that individuum, humans are far too good at dealing with those species, as the constant extinction-risk for their modern cousins shows. Most of the damage to ecological systems is done today by invasive species, which are either actively brought to new regions or travel secretly along with humans.