Is it possible to bring back dead organisms to life using DNA?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of resurrecting extinct organisms using preserved DNA, particularly in the context of scenarios similar to those depicted in popular media like Jurassic Park. Participants explore the scientific and environmental challenges associated with such endeavors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a perfectly preserved genome from an extinct species, such as one found in amber, could be used to bring that organism back to life.
  • Another participant notes the absence of a process for transferring essential epigenetic information, referencing a Japanese team's approach to cloning woolly mammoths using elephants as surrogate hosts due to their genetic similarities.
  • A participant raises concerns about the environmental changes since the extinction of such species, suggesting that modern conditions could adversely affect the development and behavior of a cloned organism, even if the genome were successfully replicated.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of cloning extinct organisms, with some focusing on genetic and epigenetic challenges while others emphasize environmental factors. No consensus is reached on the overall possibility of such resurrection efforts.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of understanding regarding the role of epigenetics in cloning and the complexities of replicating historical environments for extinct species.

hivesaeed4
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Suppose we found a perfectly preserved genome of an extinct species (maybe in a amber). Would it be possible to bring back the organism to life. (I know this question resembles Jurassic Park but I'm looking for realistic answers).

Like let's say a mosquito or some other blood sucking organism sucked the blood of an extinct species and then got preserved in amber. Now if that piece of amber was found and the extinct species DNA was extracted would it be possible to bring back that species to life?
 
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At present, IIRC, there's no process for transferring essential epigenetic info. That's why, IIRC, the Japanese team who want to 'clone' woolly mammoths plan to use the nearest extant relative, an elephant, as host mother, hoping for sufficient commonality.
 
The biggest problem I see to cloning a long extinct animal is that the environment has likely changed much since it was around. People often forget that gene expression is influenced greatly by environmental factors. A tricertops embryo that develops in the modern world might grow to be deformed, have mental or behavioral problems, might not be able to breath, could have problems with overheating, or even it's enzymes or other biochemical structures might not work the way they're supposed to. Even given the genome, you'd have to try to perfectly replicate the environment that the creature developed and lived in if you wanted it to look and act the way it did in the past. Given that some behaviors are learned and passed on, you wouldn't be able to do that.
 

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