Within the Institute of Conservation in San Diego, California, there is a 'Frozen Zoo' which contains the cells of over 1,000 extinct species which are being used to study evolution rates, cell distinctions and other aspects of the cells. This is not the only thing they are being used for though, they have a broader goal to end up using their technologies to preserve the cell lines, and attempt to bring back extinct species by collaborating with the Long New Foundation and other genetic scientists.
Learn more at http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/preserve-protect-frozen-zoo-helps-save-endangered-species-n29941
NOS Themes:
Science is collaborative- Long new Foundation and Institute of Conservation collaborating.
Science is based on questions- Asking questions such as 'How can we use these preserved cells to prevent species from being endangered, and possibly bring species back from extinction?'
This is a brilliant idea, but do you think that it could lead to even more endangered species or extinction? If this method truly works, people could care less about preserving biodiversity when they can just as easily "recreate" a species from their cells. I really love the idea, but I'm curious...how will others react to this?
ReplyDeleteAudubon Nature Institute's Research Center also has a frozen zoo. Their website answers a lot of good questions concerning them. It's interesting how there are only less than a dozen frozen zoos in the world. I hope there will be more in the future!
http://www.auduboninstitute.org/frozen-zoo
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