Video- Scientists take leap to resurrect extinct frog
by Reuters (3/20/13): http://msnvideo.msn.com/?channelindex=1&from=en-us_msnhp#/video/12bf2f71-a404-4004-9678-47967c0e931a
Article- Lazarus Project Attempts To Resurrect Extinct
Frog by April Flowers for redOrbit.com (March 16, 2013): http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112804658/lazarus-project-gastric-brooding-frog-extinction-cloning-genome-031613/
I watched a news report and read an
article about an interview with scientists working on what’s called the Lazarus
Project. This project is about resurrecting an extinct frog. This frog is
called the Gastric-brooding frog and has been extinct for 30 years. The frog is
known for eating its eggs and then giving birth through its mouth. The
scientists are attempting to resurrect this species by using “sophisticated
cloning techniques to revive and reactivate the genome of an extinct Australian
frog by implanting a “dead” cell nucleus into a fresh egg from another frog
species”. This is a very delicate process.
As the project leader says “We are watching Lazarus arise from the dead,
step by exciting step”.
In my Biology class we studied DNA
and briefly discussed the possibility of resurrecting an extinct species with
cloning just like in this project. We also studied the food chain in Biology.
This article talks about whether, if resurrected, the frog could be
reintroduced into the wild. In our study of the food chain we discussed what
could happen to an ecosystem if an organism was removed or introduced. There
are a lot of variables to consider, but I believe that if the frog was part of
the ecosystem only 30 years ago, that reintroducing it would not negatively
affect the ecosystem. The problem would be making sure that the human interference
that caused their extinction in the first place is removed. The recreation of
an extinct species could be enough to raise awareness and help to clean up the
Gastric-brooding frog’s ecosystem.
I found this concept very interesting, but i disagree with your speculation. I think that it would be harmful to the ecosystem if it was reintroduced. Animals that could have been predators or prey of this frog would be affected by it. 30 years previously, this frog would have existed, but it wouldn't have been in teeming populations. Maybe 60 or 70 years ago there might have been a significant number, but between then and now ecosystems have adapted. Reintroducing an extinct species would throw off the balance, and it could have the effect of an invasive species. It isn't worth it, and it doesn't make sense to clone it except for lab use.
ReplyDeleteI find this article and video to be very interesting. Successfully bringing an extinct species back to life is an honored milestone for mankind. Although, if scientists want to bring an extinct species back to life and release it into the wild, they need to carefully pick an animal that would not affect its ecosystem too drastically. Also, many species have gone extinct because they were not adapted to their environment enough to survive. Finally, I think that it might be helpful to use techniques like these to not only bring extinct species back to life, but to help the endangered species repopulate. For example, we could test this project on endangered animals, like the white lion.
ReplyDeleteWhile I respect your speculation, don't you think that the frog would have serious issues adapting to its new surroundings? While thirty years is certainly a small speck in the grand scheme of things, our ecosystems have changed drastically. Temperatures have dropped a few fractions of a degree, which can be extremely harmful to the unadapted organism. Also, if the frog didn't survive natural selection, what would be the result if it were brought back now? It would either die off quickly, or, perhaps, it could be introduced into an ecosystem where no animals are accustomed to eating it. I think, until these questions can be better answered, the frog should be kept in a lab.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good choice for a post. We hear all the time about how they want to reanimate wooly mammoths, but seldom we hear about the strives they are actually making. I had no idea that scientists tried to bring back a species of frog. This would as with bringing back any animal would have its complications. One of which would having this frog survive in the wild, this animal has been extinct for thirty years it's environment has adjusted to its absence. An animal thats been gone for thousands of years such as the mammoth would have an extremly difficult time dealing with its surroundings, even if it is brought to the same location of where it once lived.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, this is a very interesting article! I think that it is crazy to even think that an animal that has been extinct for 30 years could be reintroduced to the environment. If the scientists actually go through and are successful I think it with change our whole science world. It makes me wonder if there are any other animals we could try to bring back from the dead! You bring up a good point when you say the environment might act negatively because of this change. It might make the environment worse because the animals and other organisms had adapted to the change! But if they do not try because they are afraid of the outcome , that is a big mistake! Good Job George.
ReplyDeleteThis article and video was very interesting. I think it would be great if this type of frog was reintroduced to our environment.Being able to bring an extinct species back to life is an incredible achievement for mankind. I agree with you that bringing this animal back would not effect the ecosystem negatively since it was alive 30 years ago. I also agree with Cate that scientists should go through with this project as an experiment and not worry about the outcome.
ReplyDelete