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Biotech Earth Science

Using Stem Cells to Save Endangered Species 73

RogerRoast writes "Starting with normal skin cells, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have produced the first stem cells from endangered species. Such cells could eventually make it possible to improve reproduction and genetic diversity for some species, possibly saving them from extinction, or to bolster the health of endangered animals in captivity. The study was published in the recent issue of Nature Methods."
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Using Stem Cells to Save Endangered Species

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  • by mentil ( 1748130 ) on Monday September 05, 2011 @02:53AM (#37306594)

    I'm sick of us jumping in every time a species is about to die out. Too cute to fail? I say let them go extinct. The ones that survive who looked to the future instead of eating all the grass in the field this quarter are doing what's morally right, and will lead to a stronger society.
    Before you know it, the lazy lower-class animals will be living in human-provided housing, with food handouts and arranged marriages, and the predation the superior specimens take part in will be outsourced to the hunters!

  • by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 ) on Monday September 05, 2011 @03:28AM (#37306682)

    But the next thing you know, you've got a theme park full of velociraptors hunting down the park's patrons.

  • why not? (Score:2, Funny)

    by madmayr ( 1969930 ) on Monday September 05, 2011 @04:31AM (#37306894)
    why not just store their genetic information in a big 'noah's ark' database let the extinction just happen, see if a creature was really needed for the ecosystem and if yes, revive it

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