Cloning of Black Footed Ferrets

[goliathusdavid]

Today, world news included the story of Elizabeth Ann, the first black footed ferret ever cloned. The project was in the hopes of creating greater genetic diversity within the black footed ferret population and presents some fascinating questions.

What place should cloning have in vertebrate conservation? Personally I support the cloning of some species remains to increase biodiversity. But what about extinct (or soon to be extinct) species? The San Diego Zoo’s Northern White Rhino project for example? Or wooly mammoths? Would it not be a better use of resources to direct these funds to conserving what little is left?

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Bring em back so we can gawk at the zoo.

 

[goliathusdavid]

Bring em back so we can gawk at the zoo.

Would be cool for sure , but still think our priorities should be on saving what's left of our planet EXTANT biodiversity

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Would be cool for sure , but still think our priorities should be on saving what's left of our planet EXTANT biodiversity

I'm not even sure on the ethics of cloning.
It's not something I'm convinced we should be messing with.

 

[goliathusdavid]

I'm not even sure on the ethics of cloning.
It's not something I'm convinced we should be messing with.

Yeah the ethics of cloning in general are as morally gray as most genetics research. I think there are areas in which it is appropriate to apply (such as creating genetic diversity in an endangered species) but there's no doubt in my mind as to how dangerous it can be. And as humanity has found out, playing God usually doesn't end well. I believe as long as research is tightly regulated and monitored I think we can avoid most nightmare scenarios. What keeps most geneticists up at night however (and me frankly), is third party players. Let's say a billionaire gets their hands on CRISPR tech, and decides to research it on their yacht in international waters. In the wrong hands, that could make Bond villains seem as obsolete as the victorian corset. But on the other hand, this same technology could cure more diseases than can be counted (and two women just won a Nobel Prize for using it in an advanced cancer treatment).
As for the ethics of cloning extinct animals, personally I think it's pretty clear. Once something's gone, its gone, and trying to bring it back could have a million and a half untold consequences. Despite that, I think using cloning to help save an existing species is far more justifiable, as it seemed the government though too.
Sorry for the essay, I am just very into bioethics, particularly when it comes to endangered species.

 

[The Spider House]

Did Jurassic Park not teach us anything?

 

[viper69]

Heard about his- what a stupid idea in this case, and most cases generally.

Cloning our way out of all the mistakes we made is stupid.

Cloning a wooly mam. is stupidity to the Nth degree.

I only feel cloning should be used when a highly attractive woman is cloned. Can never get too much of a good thing.

 

[goliathusdavid]

Heard about his- what a stupid idea in this case, and most cases generally.

Cloning our way out of all the mistakes we made is stupid.

Cloning a wooly mam. is stupidity to the Nth degree.

I only feel cloning should be used when a highly attractive woman is cloned. Can never get too much of a good thing.

Have to disagree with you on this one. I feel cloning to assist an extant species long term survival is justifiable. It is hard to deny that it is cloning our way out or our mistakes, which I would agree, is for the most part, stupid. But nevertheless, I understand why they did it and why the government approved this project. Wooly mammoths, definitely beyond stupidity. As for that last one, not even going to touch it. Cause its not like thats incredibly problematic or anything.

 

[viper69]

Have to disagree with you on this one. I feel cloning to assist an extant species long term survival is justifiable. It is hard to deny that it is cloning our way out or our mistakes, which I would agree, is for the most part, stupid. But nevertheless, I understand why they did it and why the government approved this project. Wooly mammoths, definitely beyond stupidity. As for that last one, not even going to touch it. Cause its not like thats incredibly problematic or anything.

You could be right. It’s another example of humans thinking tech will save us from our problems- rather than doing the right thing to begin with