Ten Extinct Beasts That Could Walk The Earth Again

News Scientist ^ | 1/07/2009 | Staff Writers

[ex-Texan]

THE recipe for making any creature is written in its DNA. So last November, when geneticists published the near-complete DNA sequence of the long-extinct woolly mammoth, there was much speculation about whether we could bring this behemoth back to life.

Creating a living, breathing creature from a genome sequence that exists only in a computer's memory is not possible right now. But someone someday is sure to try it, predicts Stephan Schuster, a molecular biologist at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, and a driving force behind the mammoth genome project.

So besides the mammoth, what other extinct beasts might we coax back to life?

Well, it is only going to be possible with creatures for which we can retrieve a complete genome sequence. Without one, there is no chance. And usually when a creature dies, the DNA in any flesh left untouched is soon destroyed as it is attacked by sunshine and bacteria.

There are, however, some circumstances in which DNA can be preserved. If your specimen froze to death in an icy wasteland such as Siberia, or snuffed it in a dark cave or a really dry region, for instance, then the probability of finding some intact stretches of DNA is much higher. * * *

Of course, bringing extinct creatures back to life raises a whole host of practical problems, such as where they will live, but let's not spoil the fun . . .

For Details About These Beasts Click Here

They inlcude the Sabre-Toothed Tiger and Neanderthal Man (Homo neanderthalensis) . . .

[ex-Texan]

Incredible wacky science. See live mammoths in the zoos. Sabre-Toothed Tigers and Neanderthal Man (Homo neanderthalensis) may stalk the streets of Detroit after they escape from laboratories. Invite a happy T-Rex to lunch.

Gobble, gobble. Slurp. Burp. Belch . . .LOL, LOL !

Insanity prevails. Really. The inmates are in charge of the asylum. Oh, well. Nothing to see here. Time to move on.

[Slapshot68]

Is one of them “Homo Sapien Conservatis?”

[TerP26]

I’d pay to see a live woolly mammoth

[gimme1ibertee]

Oh...I thought this thread was gonna be about Helen Thomas..sorry...my bad..

[Abathar]

I’ll pay to taste one too...

[llevrok]

Ten extinct breasts?

What? Beasts?

It's Friday. Never mind.

[KevinDavis]

I know science is evil right??

[Scythian]

Do you think they’ll ever be able to resurrect a “conservative” ? I haven’t seen one in the White House in forever ...

Interesting article though, my son did a report on cloning and he really hopes to see a wooly mammoth some day ...

[Clintons Are White Trash]

I’m just hoping one is a Conservative Legislator!!

[dfwgator]

A Detroit Lion who actually knows how to play football?

[Doc Savage]

I’m taking a wild shot on this before reading the comments,............Helen Thomas???????????

[nutmeg]

ping

[Paladin2]

We need the Deltas and Gammas and Epsilons of Brave New World.

[Erik Latranyi]

Homo neanderthalensis...

Aren't they already doing Geico commericals?

[Stonewall Jackson]

As Ian Malcolm says in Jurassic Park, "you were so busy trying to see if you could, you didn't stop to think if you should."

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I vote for the Dodo and the Giant Beaver!

[12Gauge687]

And I’ll pay to harvest it for you! Imagine what a neat shoulder mount it would make. It would certainly be taller than my walls. Another good reason to buy some ‘distressed’ property.

[Badeye]

Its as if nobody has seen Jurasic Park or I Am Legend.

Personally, this stuff scared the hell out of me.

[swarthyguy]

Or a SaberTooth.

My call - the Chinese do it. For zoological and gastronomical reasons.

SaberTooth Tiger Penis Soup.

[Forrestfire]

How about a conservative Republican Party !!!!