Bring Back the Dodo Bird? Ambitious Plan Draws Investors and Critics
The dodo bird, a now-extinct species of flightless bird, has become a poster-child for environmental destruction. Now, a new controversial plan hopes to bring it back to life.
Recent Scientific Development
Recent advances in genetic technology have enabled scientists to consider the feasibility of what was once considered just science fiction; de-extinction. By combining recently collected DNA samples, such as those found in museums, scientists have been able to fill in missing pieces of the genetic code, and proposed a plan to bring the dodo back.
Investment and Criticism
The ambitious plan has drawn investment from many quarters, including governments, corporations and research institutions. However, the plan has been met with criticism. Some have argued that money and resources would be better spent investigating other conservation efforts, as opposed to attempting to bring back a species which has been extinct for more than four centuries.
The Pros of the Plan
Proponents of the plan argue that it could help raise public interest and awareness about endangered species, as well as provide scientists with an opportunity to explore new technologies.
The Cons of the Plan
Critics are concerned that the plan may face unforeseen obstacles, such as the inability to recreate the dodo’s original habitat. Additionally, some point out that the technology used to resurrect the species may lead to other unintended consequences, such as increased environmental damage or the rise of new diseases.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the success of this plan will depend on its details and whether it is actually feasible to bring back such a species that has been extinct for centuries. With the potential to raise considerable public interest, it will certainly be an interesting story to follow.
Conclusion
The plan to bring back the dodo bird has, unsurprisingly, met with both criticism and support. Whether the plan succeeds or fails, it will likely be a fascinating story with potentially far-reaching implications.
In a move that has critcs questioning the feasibility of the idea, some wealthy investors have announced their intention to bring the extinct dodo bird back to life, with plans to repatriate the species to the island of Mauritius by 2040.
The bird, famous for its iconic comical droop and penchant for scavenging, once lived and roamed the forests of Mauritius, before going extinct in 1680. Now though, a team of scientists and investors hope to recreate the Dodo and reintroduce it back into the wild, in what they are calling a “Dodo Ark”.
The project is the brainchild of international investor John Vaneer, who claimed the project’s scientists sought to “do something extraordinary, something lasting, something impossible”. The initiative, to be funded by a number of wealthy investors and spearheaded by Vaneer, aims to use a form of ancient DNA technology to create a chicken-sized bird capable of surviving in the wilds of Mauritius.
Critics of the idea are quick to raise financial, ethical and practical concerns; including the sheer costs of such an endeavour, the impact any foreign species would have on the local ecology and the potential setbacks renewable science would face.
In response to these critiques, those involved with the project feel confident with their plans and are determined to move forward, with Vaneer confidently proclaiming “there is no going back on this decision”.
The ambitious experiment will definitely be a challenge, but with the help of some investors and scientists, the dream of bringing the dodo back to life may soon become a reality.
