Section #1
The idea of bringing extinct species back to life is known as “de-extinction,” and it’s now a legitimate scientific field. By extracting DNA from museum specimens and splicing it into the cells of similar living species, scientists say they can engineer animals back into existence. Researchers have started thinking seriously about which extinct species to focus their efforts on. Near the top of most lists are the woolly mammoth, which lived in the Arctic and went extinct about 4,000 years ago, and the passenger pigeon, which was once the most common bird in North America but went extinct in 1914.
But just because scientists may be able to bring species back doesn’t mean they should. Two scientists debate the ethics of de-extinction.
What is the central idea of section #1?
Responses
Wooly mammoths lived in the Arctic over 40,000 years ago.
Scientists are able to engineer extinct animals back into existence.
Passenger pigeons went extinct in 1914.
Scientists can extract DNA.