An interesting little piece by Carl Zimmer on if we should consider genetically engineering species that are almost extinct. There's a bit on moving species to expected, newly climate-appropriate locations due to climate change, a bit on adding genetic variation to endangered species that are highly inbred (which has already been done, such as with the Florida Panther), and on possibly genetically engineering wildlife; what scientists call "facilitated adaptation."
If you don't agree with genetic modification of, say, our food plants and animals, what do you think about it IF it could prevent extinction of our wild species that only have a few individuals left? Would it be worth it in that case or not?
I have no idea how far off this idea is from being implemented, but this section got me thinking about the possibilities: "A fungus from Europe has killed millions of bats in the United States and show no sign of slowing down. If scientists can determine why bats in Europe don’t die of the fungus, they might be able to insert their gene variant into American bats and make them resistant."
http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/09/25/genetically-engineering-the-wild/
Something else that seems to fit well here is this series of "portraits" of the diversity of animals and plants on earth, many of which are endangered or only have a few individuals left. I've only gotten through the first few, which show animals at zoos, but they are certainly beautiful photos, with more to come. Check them out:
http://www.joelsartore.com/galleries/the-photo-ark/
If you don't agree with genetic modification of, say, our food plants and animals, what do you think about it IF it could prevent extinction of our wild species that only have a few individuals left? Would it be worth it in that case or not?
I have no idea how far off this idea is from being implemented, but this section got me thinking about the possibilities: "A fungus from Europe has killed millions of bats in the United States and show no sign of slowing down. If scientists can determine why bats in Europe don’t die of the fungus, they might be able to insert their gene variant into American bats and make them resistant."
http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/09/25/genetically-engineering-the-wild/
Something else that seems to fit well here is this series of "portraits" of the diversity of animals and plants on earth, many of which are endangered or only have a few individuals left. I've only gotten through the first few, which show animals at zoos, but they are certainly beautiful photos, with more to come. Check them out:
http://www.joelsartore.com/galleries/the-photo-ark/