The global de-extinction project of prehistoric Woolly Mammoths stems from hunters and scientists uncovering a majority intact Woolly Mammoth carcass in Yakutsk, Russia in 2013. The key factor in these de-extinction efforts is the carcass, appropriately names Buttercup was found with still intact and oozing blood to collect vital DNA from the animal. The methods scientists are hopeful to use to develop a Woolly Mammoth/ Asian Elephant cross is the Crisper/Cas9 system. With this technology, the DNA from the blood of the Woolly Mammoth would be used in combination with the Cas9 protein to splice inactive cells of the Woolly Mammoth to then be developed into a zygote with the Asian Elephant’s DNA and be brought to gestation in an artificial womb.
The advantages of this prehistoric resurrection would foremostly be a major step in the field of genetics and just flat out cool. Otherwise, mammoths where herbivores and roamed the terrain in search of a leafy meal to satisfy their meals. The development of a modern mammoth could result in newly manicured terrain and the reduction of permafrost melting in Siberia. Global warming is a significant issue and will have major implications on the Earth’s integrity as we know it is allowed to proceed to that point. Carbon dioxide and methane release from the Siberian permafrost will speed up the process of global warming; however, Woolly Mammoths could, in theory, recuse the amount of grass on the ground which would result in less carbon absorption from the sun and allow the carbon pools to stay isolated in the permafrost for longer, thus slowing carbon emissions.
Some disadvantages of a new Woolly Mammoth species would be the unknown effects of their presence on the current ecosystem. The introduction of a new species on a fragile ecosystem would result in a lack of nutrients and other necessary measures from smaller species of herbivores. Woolly mammoths are huge and require large amounts of nutrients from their meal of choice to maintain health. Other disadvantages might arise if the de-extinction ever took place, but it is hard to say at this point.
The idea of de-extinction of a prehistoric animal is unprecedented and exciting. Scientists have been presented with a unique situation with Woolly Mammoth intact DNA and existing similar species. I think the idea of these techniques working on other species should be an afterthought to this ongoing endeavor.
Scientists Say They Could Bring BAck Woolly Mammoths Within Two Years. (2018, August 29). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/news/scientists-say-they-could-bring-back-woolly-mammoths-within-two-years
The evolutionary and phylogeographic history of woolly mammoths: a comprehensive mitogenomic analysis. (2017, March 22). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/srep44585#citeas
Can Bringing Back Mammoths Help Stop Climate Change? (2018, May 14). Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/can-bringing-back-mammoths-stop-climate-change-180969072/