TIN TIN DE-EX CTION DE-EX CTION method one method three Reverse Engineering Cloning Extract DNA from the Extract living cells remains of an extinct from an endangered species and sequence species OR use stored its genome. frozen cells from a species that has recently gone extinct. Supplement any missing genetic Replace the nucleus information with that EXTINCTI in the egg of a close of the closest living DE- ON relative with the relative. Add genes to method two nucleus from the chromosomes which extinct animal. will carry genetic Back Breeding material in the germ cell nucleus. Adjust DNA from the adult cell to be used in an embryo cell, Inject the nucleus into Gather genetic material using chemicals the early embryos of from preserved bone and/or electricity to the closest relative to and tooth samples to reconfigure the DNA. the extinct species. re-create DNA. Let fertilized egg Compare re-created The generation that grow and place in DNA to that of modern hatches from these a surrogate mother. close relatives to deter- embryos will carry the mine which breeds still genes from the extinct carry the species' genetic Place de-extinct animal. a b c characteristics and species in a suitable make up. habitat. The next generation produced by these Reverse the evolutionary carriers will have the process by selectively genes and traits of the a c breeding specific close now de-extinct species. relatives. The de-extinct species Each generation will WHAT IS DE-EXTINCTION? must be provided with more closely resemble a habitat that suits the extinct species. its needs. Creating an organism which is a member of, or resembles, an extinct species. The the center for genomic fat from EXTINCTION REWILDING gastronomy Passenger Pigeons The moment of extinction The re-introduction of a was used as butter. is the death of the last species into the regions individual of a species. where it became extinct. Flocks of up to 100,000 habitat & food passenger pigeons could habitat & food blacken the sky in an instant. YESTERDAY’SMEATTOMORROW cm 75 nuts herbs lichen grubs berries grasses PASSENGER PIGEON AUROCHS PYRENEAN IBEX When - Ectopistes migratorius - - Bos primigenius - - Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica - Europeans arrived in North America the population of passenger pigeons IN 2009, was more than all A DE-EXTINCT of the humans PYRENEAN IBEX there were on earth. 155 cm 75 cm LIVED FOR 7 Using frozen DNA from a once living 3 TO 5 MINUTES Pyrenean Ibex, scien- BILLION 40 cm tists cloned the animal, Passenger Pigeons marking the only success- in the United States North America Europe, Asia, North Africa France, Portugal, Spain, Andorra ful de-extinction attempt before they recorded. were hunted to extinct 1914 extinct 1627 extinct 2000 extinction Caused by habitat destruction, Caused by over hunting, habitat destruction Likely caused by competition with domestic deforestation, and hunted as cheap food. from farming, and the spread of disease animals for food, hunting, and disease THEIRISHELK carried by domestic cattle. spread by the introduction of WASONEOF Plants dependent non-native species. THE RGEST on megafauna for DEEREVERTO dispersal are vuln- erable to range LIVE. reduction or even extinction when their partners habitat & food in evolution and ecology vanish. grasses twigs Its extinction In north-eastern the woolly THEDOWNFROM might have been osage orange An “ecological Siberia, enthusiasts want mammoth THENOWEXTINCT caused by a lack of anachronism that It is hypothesized GREATAUKWASA minerals to has been stunningly to restore the “mammoth that osage orange HIGHLYDESIRABLE support the growth successful in attract- nuts Only about 50% steppe” to a grassland of its antlers which anachronistic seeds were originally ing a replacement of the mammoth genome PILLOWFILLER. habitat that could support spanned up to plants spread by Pleistocene dispersal agent: us.”* has been assembled, so it megafauna that are de-extinct woolly mammoth. won’t be de-extinct any the great auk 3.5 meters. now extinct. avocado time soon. pleistocene park www.genomicgastronomy.com irish elk.