• Question: Is it possible to give other animals DNA of other animals to bring back extinct animals

    Asked by Hamish to Aaron on 16 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Aaron Boardley

      Aaron Boardley answered on 16 Nov 2015:

      I’ll have to be honest: I don’t know!

      We are able to modify sections of DNA to change things, but this has previously been on on a relatively small scale – for simple creatures or simple characteristics. Changing whole sections of DNA to create an extinct animal is a big undertaking. It’s not being done right now, but who knows what the future will hold.

      It’s a great question, and if I can speak to any geneticists before this competition is over I’ll try my best to get an answer!

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