Scientists Pioneer Efforts to Revive Extinct Species Through Groundbreaking Laboratory Research

AUSTIN, Texas - Feb. 13, 2025 - PRLog -- Species Extinction: A Growing Threat and the Emergence of De-Extinction Efforts

A 2019 report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) issued a critical warning for global biodiversity: as many as one million species are at risk of extinction, with many disappearing within the coming decades. In light of this escalating threat, scientists are increasingly turning to the concept of "resurrection biology" — the de-extinction of species — to counter the loss of biodiversity.

De-Extinction Through Resurrection Biology: Two Main Approaches

Scientists working toward resurrecting extinct species are utilizing two primary methods:

- Back Breeding: This technique involves identifying a closely related species to the extinct one and breeding specimens that exhibit traits of the lost species. One notable example is the efforts of the Heck brothers in the 1920s, who sought to resurrect the Auroch, an ancestor of modern cattle, which became extinct in 1627.

- Genetic Engineering: With modern advancements in genetic analysis, researchers now have the capability to extract and analyze viable DNA from long-extinct species. By using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, scientists are able to introduce genetic traits from the extinct species into the DNA of closely related species, with the aim of producing viable offspring.

The American Chestnut Tree: A Setback in Revival Efforts

For decades, researchers have worked tirelessly to reintroduce the American chestnut tree, which was decimated by chestnut blight. The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) had supported the creation of the Darling 58 variety, a genetically engineered, disease-resistant version of the tree. However, after reaching the final stages of its re-forestation initiative, TACF discovered a critical error in the propagation process, forcing them to halt the project. This setback has left the reintroduction of the American chestnut in limbo, requiring additional efforts before the majestic tree can once again thrive in North America.

DNA Recovery Challenges in Mammal De-Extinction

The field of resurrection biology gained widespread attention in 2013 when Revive & Restore's founders, Ryan Phelan and Stewart Brand, announced their ambition to revive extinct species such as the woolly mammoth, Siberian tiger, and the Tasmanian tiger (thylacine). The success of cloning Dolly the Sheep in 1996, the first successful cloning of a large mammal, fueled optimism in the potential to clone extinct species using recovered DNA.

Despite early enthusiasm, challenges have become apparent in the de-extinction efforts.

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