A Bioethical Analysis: Should We Use CRISPR To Bring Back Extinct Species

Extinction is a concept that is very well known and for centuries has been considered a direct result of human evolution and change in the environment. Though these reasons stand strong, with recent technology from companies like CRISPR, we can prove that extinction is also a result of scientific causes and with the help of gene-editing, the process of de-extinction is now a possibility. Extinct species such as the woolly mammoth, thylacine and the passenger pigeon are in a process of revival where scientists use the DNA of their closest relatives who are currently existing animals.

A process like this would have been considered impossible and could be seen only in sci-fi movies but now exists as a possibility and not in a realm beyond our reach.This has caused an uproar in the scientific community as scientists cannot determine if this process could help in restoration of habitats and reverse the damage humans have caused over the years or would bringing back these animals be a grave mistake and whether we should interfere or let nature run its course.

This paper evaluates the various possibilities and challenges that can be faced in the process of using CRISPR for de-extinction.