Unraveling Misconceptions: Separating Truth from Fiction in the Realm of De-extinction
In the heart of Dunedin, New Zealand, Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar played host to an enlightening discussion on de-extinction. On the 28th of July 2025, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Associate Professor Nic Rawlence from the Otago University Zoology Department captivated the audience with his talk titled "Thirst for Knowledge: MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction."
Rawlence's presentation delved into the scientific, ethical, and indigenous concerns surrounding de-extinction, a topic that has sparked much interest and debate in recent years.
Rawlence emphasised that true de-extinction, which involves cloning extinct animals, remains an elusive goal due to the poor preservation of DNA from extinct species. Instead, genetic modifications can create animals that resemble extinct species but are not exact replicas. This reality raises questions about what qualifies as de-extinction and how genetically engineered proxies differ from authentic extinct species.
The ethical implications of such endeavours were also explored, with critics questioning whether these efforts prioritise scientific curiosity over conservation, and if genetically modifying animals for such purposes is justified. Broader considerations about animal welfare, ecological impacts, and the transparency of such projects in communicating their goals and limits were also raised.
Indigenous perspectives, with their deeper cultural and spiritual connections to species, landscapes, and ecosystems, were not overlooked. Indigenous concerns might include the respect for natural processes, the significance of species in cultural heritage, and the implications of reintroducing or simulating extinct creatures in environments altered by human activity. These viewpoints urge careful consideration of de-extinction not just as a scientific endeavour but as one embedded in social, cultural, and ethical contexts.
Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar has been fortunate to host a number of articles written by Dr Nic Rawlence in the past, making this event a highly anticipated one for the local community. For those who missed the event, more information can be found on the Otago Museum's website.
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11435 [2] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11436 [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11437
- Engaging in a diverse range of discussions, Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar has also attracted conversations that delve into medical-conditions, such as the ethical implications of genetically engineered organisms, discussed in Associate Professor Nic Rawlence's talk, "Thirst for Knowledge: MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction."
- In the spirit of education-and-self-development, one may further explore the science behind de-extinction by visiting the Otago Museum's website, where additional resources and articles written by Dr Nic Rawlence are available for interested individuals.
