Should We Clone Dinosaurs? Why is it risky?

Should We Clone Dinosaurs? An Examination of the Risks and Implications Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name January 5, 2024 The allure of resurrecting dinosaurs, a concept immortalized by Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park," extends beyond cinematic fantasy into scientific possibility and ethical debate. This paper explores the feasibility of cloning dinosaurs, the challenges inherent in such an endeavor, and the broader implications of this pursuit, drawing upon insights from Osterloff's "Can We Bring Back Dinosaurs?" and the expertise of Dr. Susie Maidment. Feasibility of Dinosaur Resurrection Central to the debate is the feasibility of extracting and reconstructing dinosaur DNA. According to Maidment, the iconic image of a mosquito preserved in amber, a vital element of the "Jurassic Park" narrative, is an oversimplification of a complex process (Osterloff, n.d.). Amber fossilizes the exoskeleton but does not preserve blood or soft tissues, which are crucial for DNA extraction (Osterloff, n.d.). The oldest DNA sequenced to date is far younger than the age of the dinosaurs, casting doubt on the possibility of finding viable dinosaur genetic material (Osterloff, n.d.). Challenges in Genetic Reconstruction Should dinosaur DNA be miraculously discovered, reconstructing a complete genome remains a formidable challenge. Without a reference genome, identifying and filling gaps in the DNA sequence becomes speculative at best. Maidment notes the impracticality of using amphibian DNA, as depicted in "Jurassic Park," and suggests that bird or crocodile DNA might be more appropriate, given their...