The Tasmanian Tiger – bring it back from the dead - or save the current creatures under threat of extinction - or both?

On the ABC program The Drum, Wednesday 17 August 2022, I was asked about the scientists who will attempt to reincarnate the Tasmanian Tiger (the thylacine) using some DNA they managed to find somewhere.

I answered that if they did that, then it, the tiger, would just become extinct again. I stated that they should concentrate on stopping other animals from becoming extinct so they do not have to de-extinct them at some future date.

What I should have also said is that the science behind the idea of fiddling with the Tassie Tiger’s DNA to bring it back is also a very worthwhile venture.

It has been shown many times that science experiments and processes used for one purpose can often result in outcomes that are useful for other purposes.

Penicillin was an accidental discovery by Florey while experimenting around influenza treatments.  The microwave came from experiments around radar equipment. Superglue was created by someone trying to make better gunsights. This is the same for smallpox vaccine, x-rays, insulin among others. Viagra of all things was an accidental offshoot of investigating treatment for angina.

So fiddling with DNA could lead to other DNA based treatments which could eventually help people with inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

Excellent idea to continue with this marvelous scientific work which should be funded.

BUT (notice this is a big but) - also do whatever is necessary to stop other threatened species from being lost forever.

This applies for example to the Greater marsupial Glider to be found in some Australian native forests. It is under threat, an endangered species, and the clearing of native forests will add to their decline. Yet, as an appalling example, the Victorian Andrews government continues to support the destruction of these forests. What a disgrace. The Andrews government has also bought in new laws banning environmental activists from entering forests to count how many gliders still exists. These laws include enormous fines.

So it is obvious that Dan Andrews either hates Australian animals or hates Australian native forests - or both. He also hates protestors - unless he agrees with them. Dan the Man is a bit to dictatorial IMO.

(If anyone has some artistic skills and would like to depict Dan Andrews squashing Australian wildlife - please do so and send it to me contact@strongs.biz)