De-extinction Company to Work on Resurrecting Tasmanian Tiger

story

AUG 2022

Image copyright: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia [via The Guardian]

story last updated JAN 31

The Spin

Narrative A

Losing an apex predator as Australia did almost a century ago has far-reaching environmental repercussions, such as the spreading of disease, invasive species, and a disruption to natural biogeochemical cycles. The resurrection of the Tasmanian Tiger will re-balance the ecosystem and advance research for the conservation community. This is excellent work.

Discovery

Narrative B

While, in theory, this is exciting research, there's a lack of consideration for the many technical, ethical, and ecological challenges, such as the welfare of the animals, which would be subjected to a life in captivity before an uncertain reintroduction into the wild. The money would be better spent on preventing the extinction of existing animals.

Newsweek