Should We Bring Back Extinct Animals?

Woolly mammoths were huge, hairy elephant-like creatures. Most mammoths became extinct nearly 10,000 years ago. But what if they came back from the dead? It may sound like a scene from a zombie movie, but it could soon be a reality. A company called Colossal plans to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction within the next few years. 

Colossal will use a process called de-extinction. They’ll take DNA from a frozen mammoth. DNA is the material in cells that determines how living things look and function. Scientists will copy the DNA into the cells of the mammoth’s closest living relative, the Asian elephant. 

Some people think it would be exciting to see prehistoric creatures roam the planet again. But many scientists are concerned that de-extinction could cause more harm than good. 

Woolly mammoths were huge, elephant-like creatures. Most mammoths became extinct nearly 10,000 years ago. But what if they came back? It may sound like a scene from a zombie movie. But it could soon be a reality. A company called Colossal plans to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction within the next few years.

Colossal will use a process called de-extinction. They’ll take DNA from a frozen mammoth. DNA is the material in cells that determines how living things look and function. Scientists will copy the DNA into the cells of the Asian elephant. That's the mammoth’s closest living relative.

Some people think it would be exciting to see prehistoric creatures roam the planet again. But many scientists worry that de-extinction could cause more harm than good.

Scientists point out that the new creature won't actually be a woolly mammoth—it will be a mix of mammoth and elephant. Some say creating a hybrid like this is a cruel experiment. Many worry the new animals could suffer from serious health problems and will be subject to constant testing. They fear the new species might not survive. 

Other experts believe de-extinction could harm the environment, not help it. They say placing a new version of an extinct species into an ecosystem could hurt other animals. Many scientists also say bringing back a version of the mammoth is not likely to affect climate change. 

“They’d have to bring back millions of woolly mammoths, and it would take centuries for any positive changes to occur,” says Ross MacPhee. He is a biologist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. “The other thing is, where are you going to put them? You’re not talking about rats. You’re talking about animals that weigh 4 or 5 tons.” 

Opponents of de-extinction point out that the process can cost tens of millions of dollars. They argue that the money would be better spent on trying to save currently endangered species before they become extinct. 

Scientists point out that the new creature won’t actually be a woolly mammoth. It will be a mix of mammoth and elephant. Some say creating a hybrid like this is a cruel experiment. Many worry the new animals could suffer from serious health problems and will be subject to constant testing. They fear the new species might not survive.

Other experts believe de-extinction could harm the environment, not help it. They say placing a new version of an extinct species into an ecosystem could hurt other animals. Many scientists also say bringing back a version of the mammoth is not likely to affect climate change. 

“They’d have to bring back millions of woolly mammoths, and it would take centuries for any positive changes to occur,” says Ross MacPhee. He is a biologist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. “The other thing is, where are you going to put them? You’re not talking about rats. You’re talking about animals that weigh 4 or 5 tons.”

Opponents of de-extinction point out that the process can cost tens of millions of dollars. They argue that the money should be spent on trying to save currently endangered species before they become extinct.