Mammoth reconstitution

[Thomas G. Lammers]

Though the concerns expressed over conveying the idea that extinction is
NOT forever and ignoring the ecological interdependencies and habitat
requirements of organisms are valid ones, I think that an attempt to
"reconstitute" an extinct species would have more value than as just
another roadside attraction.  Foremost, it might be able to tell us
much about the degree of genetic similarity between proboscidians (just
how much divergence IS there between Asian/African elephants and wooly
mammoths?).  If fertile F1's could be produced, it might be possible to
indeed reconstitute "pure" mammoths, by backcrossing with more frozen
mammoth sperm.  And do not denigrate those of our colleagues who feel
compelled to pull "publicity stunts" and emulate Jurassic Park.
Administrators keep telling us that we need something "flashy" and
"glamorous" to attract funding for our research.  The difficulty of
obtaining support for sound fundamental research may indeed drive some
workers into this gray zone.

Thomas G. Lammers               lammers at tfm.fmnh.org
Department of Botany
Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago IL 60605-2496 USA


"Do not do what has already been done."  (motto engraved over the doors
of the main library building at the University of Northern Iowa.)