Biotechnology Presentations
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	Presentation on DNA, Central Dogma & Evolution 2/26/03 Cloning of Extinct Animals Kimberley, Michael, LeRoy, Naomi, Greg Different extinct animals with a source of DNA which can be accessed for cloning procedures, such as the thylacine embryos stored in alcohol instead of formaldehyde, may potentially be cloned and brought back from the dead. Articles of interest: Cello J, Paul AV, Wimmer E, 2002. Chemical synthesis of poliovirus cDNA: generation of infectious virus in the absence of natural template. Science 297(5583):1016-8 Whitehouse, David, 2002. First synthetic virus created. [commentary on above] BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/2122619.stm CLONING: Bringing Back Endangered Species. Applied Genetics News, October,2000. http://www.findarticles.com/m0DED/3_21/66520544/p1/article.jhtml Hembree, Amy. Cloning Is No Extinction Panacea. Wired News http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,41704,00.html San Diego's frozen zoo cloning endangered species. Bioexchange.com http://www.bioexchange.com/news/news_page.cfm?id=14475 Weidensaul, Scott. Raising the dead. Audobon, May-June, 2002: 58-66. [See class handout.]   1. Key issues and dilemmas: Is it worth the time and extreme amounts of money to pursue bringing back extinct animals? What about using this cloning technique to help maintain populations of endangered species? Is cloning safe? How many attempts must be made prior to success? Cloned animals tend to die prematurely. Why? What might science gain in terms of knowledge and techniques by pursuing such an endeavor? Ethical issues: Are we morally justified in bringing back extinct animals because humans were the cause of their demise? Can a cloned, previously extinct animal actually be representative of its ancestors in today's environment? Are we justified in trying to prevent extinctions, or severe bottlenecks for that matter, by applying similar methods to this problem? And, would it do more harm than good if cloning generates weak individuals? 2. Background information needed: What is the cost of bringing back the dead? According to the experts trying to bring back the thylacine it will take many years and millions of dollars. Is it really feasible to believe we can bring them back? In the case of the thylacine, there is no perfect DNA and artificial chromosomes may have to be used (provided we find a way to make them) and they will have to make use of the DNA of its closest living relative (if we are even sure what that is). Will the cloned animals actually be the same as its ancestors were? Who will raise the animals from birth if they have no natural parents? How will the cloned animals learn how to be the species they are - nature vs. nurture argument. How is this DNA obtained? What are the special requirements needing to be met in order for this technology to actually be used? I.e.: need to have storage in alcohol or frozen samples such as the "frozen zoo" in San Diego. Can scientific knowledge gained from these attempts be beneficial in other ways? 3. Experts to consult: a. Molecular biologists who can assess the feasibility of such an undertaking at the molecular level, so people can know whether or not it's worth pursuing. b. Animal behavior specialists who can help assess if what we would bring back would be like the extinct ancestor. c. Someone to assess the overall costs that would be incurred. (optional expert) d. Ecologists who can determine what we could do with such cloned animals - where could they go, what their presence might do to other members of the habitat, would they just be zoo pets, etc. e. The voice of the people should be heard where such an endeavor might be taken on. 4. Values involved: Moral obligation - should we bring back animals we (humans) caused to become extinct? It would certainly ease feelings of guilt, but does that really make it justifiable? Is it more appropriate to look for ways to prevent future extinctions from happening (using the funds and technology) rather than try to amend the past? Perhaps this would be a more sensible approach. 5. Possible solutions: One possible solution may be to allow a few of these endeavors to proceed where there is public support but where public funds need not be used. In this way results may help for better solutions to be chosen. We could try to improve cloning technologies in order to determine if there is any justification in trying to assist endangered species in this way. 6. How should the decision making process be organized? Obviously it would seem that those who are willing to foot the bill will have the biggest say. However, there should be an ethics committee assembled from various fields to inform investors about proposed research, and to inform the public as well, to try and prevent any unforeseen problems from occurring.  ..
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 Updated 3/2/03 by thatcher@sonoma.edu