I think cloning to reintroduce extinct species is a good idea with one or two drawbacks:
1) The cloning material must be of a wide enough DNA diversity to stop any potential freak mutations or dangerous inbreeding occuring in the future of a species. i.e. wide DNA sampling = good genetic dispossition in species
2) If I remember correctly the Dolly the cloned sheep had the problem of her cells aging at 6 times the normal rate. If this problem is isn't sorted out it brings about the problem of when should DNA be taken from the original species for use in cloning? When the animal is an embryo?
3) What happens if the ecosystem which lost the now extinct species has compensated for it's loss? Should the species still be reintroduced?
I think that the idea of cloning extinct species and then reintroducing them has a great deal of merit when we(man) have actually caused their extinction but I also think that any reintroduction should be considered very carefully not only for the sake of the reintroduced species' future but for the ecosystem that it will dwell in as well.
In other words don't get carried away in your enthusiasm and think very carefully about ny repercussions.
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I think cloning to reintroduce extinct species is a good idea with one or two drawbacks:
1) The cloning material must be of a wide enough DNA diversity to stop any potential freak mutations or dangerous inbreeding occuring in the future of a species. i.e. wide DNA sampling = good genetic dispossition in species
2) If I remember correctly the Dolly the cloned sheep had the problem of her cells aging at 6 times the normal rate. If this problem is isn't sorted out it brings about the problem of when should DNA be taken from the original species for use in cloning? When the animal is an embryo?
3) What happens if the ecosystem which lost the now extinct species has compensated for it's loss? Should the species still be reintroduced?
I think that the idea of cloning extinct species and then reintroducing them has a great deal of merit when we(man) have actually caused their extinction but I also think that any reintroduction should be considered very carefully not only for the sake of the reintroduced species' future but for the ecosystem that it will dwell in as well.
In other words don't get carried away in your enthusiasm and think very carefully about ny repercussions.