Cloning: An Option for Endangered Species Conservation

Cloning: An Option for Endangered Species Conservation

Review of the Literature

Geneticists know that the technology of cloning lies in the palm of their hands, and its

use on domestic animals and now endangered species has already proven successful (“Endangered

Species”; Fields-Meyer and Seaman;Holt et al.; Lanza et al.; Trivedi). The question I ask now is

this: Will cloning be used in the conservation of endangered species? This very question has

sparked debate between the scientific community and many conservationists. Contrary to the

values set forth by many conservationist groups, my research suggests that the cloning of

endangered species is, in fact, a viable option in their preservation and repopulation. Most of the

sources I have used in my research have supported the idea of using cloning to rebuild animal

populations or at least obtain viable DNA from endangered animals. The prominent scientists

Betsy Dresser, Robert Lanza, and Philip Damiani of the Advanced Cell Technology laboratories in

Worcester, Massachusetts, expressed their optimism about cloning endangered species in the

article "Cloning Noah's Ark." Dresser and Lanza were also quoted in several online news sources

I used as well. They conclude that "Biotechnology might offer the best way to keep some

endangered species from disappearing from the planet" (Lanza et al). As my research suggests,

cloning endangered species will surely have its benefits in keeping these populations alive, an

option which conservationists cannot deny.

These scientists I have mentioned do not ignore opposition to their scientific claims

from conservationists skeptical of the uses of cloning and leery that it usage will deter humans

from restoring natural habita...

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...://www.reproduction-online.org.silk.library.umass.edu:2048/cgiLcQntent/

full/127/3/317>.

Lanza, Robert P., Betsy L. Dresser, and Philip Damiani. "Cloning Noah's Ark." Scientific American

283 (2000). Academic Search Premier. 22 Oct. 2005

&db=aph&an=3664004>.

Ryder, Oliver A. "Cloning advances and challenges for conservation." Trends in Biotechnology

20.6 (June 2002): 231. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. DuBois Library, Amherst, MA.

22 October 2005

rect=true&db=aph&AN=7799659&site=ehost-live>.

Trivedi, Bijal P. "Scientists Clone First Endangered Species: A Wild Sheep." National Geographic

News. 29 Oct. 2001.14 Oct. 2005

1/10/1025 TV sheepclone.htm>.