Cloning: An Option for Endangered Species Conservation Essay -- Biolog

Cloning: An Option for Endangered Species Conservation Review of the Literature Geneticists know that the technology of cloning lies in the palm of their hands, and its use on domestic animals and now endangered species has already proven successful (â€Å"Endangered Species†; Fields-Meyer and Seaman;Holt et al.; Lanza et al.; Trivedi). The question I ask now is this: Will cloning be used in the conservation of endangered species? This very question has sparked debate between the scientific community and many conservationists. Contrary to the values set forth by many conservationist groups, my research suggests that the cloning of endangered species is, in fact, a viable option in their preservation and repopulation. Most of the sources I have used in my research have supported the idea of using cloning to rebuild animal populations or at least obtain viable DNA from endangered animals. The prominent scientists Betsy Dresser, Robert Lanza, and Philip Damiani of the Advanced Cell Technology laboratories in Worcester, Massachusetts, expressed their optimism about cloning endangered species in the article "Cloning Noah's Ark." Dresser and Lanza were also quoted in several online news sources I used as well. They conclude that "Biotechnology might offer the best way to keep some endangered species from disappearing from the planet" (Lanza et al). As my research suggests, cloning endangered species will surely have its benefits in keeping these populations alive, an option which conservationists cannot deny. These scientists I have mentioned do not ignore opposition to their scientific claims from conservationists skeptical of the uses of cloning and leery that it usage will deter humans from restoring natural habita... ...://www.reproduction-online.org.silk.library.umass.edu:2048/cgiLcQntent/ full/127/3/317>. Lanza, Robert P., Betsy L. Dresser, and Philip Damiani. "Cloning Noah's Ark." Scientific American 283 (2000). Academic Search Premier. 22 Oct. 2005 &db=aph&an=3664004>. Ryder, Oliver A. "Cloning advances and challenges for conservation." Trends in Biotechnology 20.6 (June 2002): 231. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. DuBois Library, Amherst, MA. 22 October 2005 rect=true&db=aph&AN=7799659&site=ehost-live>. Trivedi, Bijal P. "Scientists Clone First Endangered Species: A Wild Sheep." National Geographic News. 29 Oct. 2001.14 Oct. 2005 1/10/1025 TV sheepclone.htm>.