The “Jurassic Park” Effect: Can Extinct Species be Brought Back to Life?

The “Jurassic Park” Effect: Can Extinct Species be Brought Back to Life?

Alvin Sherman Library 2053

The objective of this literature research project is to determine whether cloning of extinct species can actually occur. In order to examine the feasibility of such a process, a species known as the thylacine was studied. The thylacine has been extinct for seventy years. An embryonic pup along having good quality DNA has been preserved. Cloning of extinct species, also called the “Jurassic Park” Effect, may become a reality within the next 10-15 years if the cloning of the thylacine is successful. In my literature research I discovered one peer-reviewed experiment that tested whether parts of extinct species could be cloned. The experiment used 12 different specimens ranging from pig organs to different Egyptian mummies as well as the thylacine. The experiment showed that cloning parts of ancient organisms was possible, but that it would probably harder to clone the entire organism, as that has not yet been done. The cloning of the thylacine would be a major step toward actually cloning more organisms that could eventually create a real “Jurassic Park.” Once cloning of extinct species becomes more feasible, it will undoubtedly raise ethical questions involving heated debates concerning whether or not extinct species should really be brought back to life.