Scientists from Harvard University have successfully inserted DNA from a frozen mammoth into the living genes of an elephant.
The Mail Online says,
“Researchers studied the structure of DNA from mammoths preserved in the Arctic to reproduce exact copies of 14 of the extinct animal’s genes.”
“These were then integrated by experts at Harvard University in Massachusetts into the elephant genome – and functioned as normal DNA.”
The scientists were using a new procedure called Crispr, by which they spliced frozen DNA and replaced parts of elephant DNA with mammoth ones. This is an important step forward, because scientists have so far been hampered by problems with the degraded condition of DNA in excavated carcasses.
According to the Telegraph, Professor George Church, an expert on genetics at Harvard University, told the Sunday Times,
“We prioritized genes associated with cold resistance including hairiness, ear size, subcutaneous fat and, especially, hemoglobin” – the substance which takes oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
“We now have functioning elephant cells with mammoth DNA in them,” said the Professor.
The mammoth’s closest relative is the Asian Elephant and it was roughly the same size, measuring 11ft tall (3.5 meters) and weighing 6 tonnes. However, the mammoth had smaller ears and tails, in order to reduce frostbite.
They co-existed with humans who hunted them and used their bones and tusks for dwellings, tools and art. Mammoths are often depicted in ancient cave art.
The mammoth disappeared from the European continent some 10,000 years ago, though it survived in isolation on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean until 3,300 years ago and these are the specimens from the permafrost which the scientists have been using.
The Harvard scientists are not the only ones in the race to recreate a mammoth. There are two other teams attempting to clone the animal, as well.
However, these efforts are controversial with opponents saying that the money would be better spent in conservation efforts for modern elephants.
On the other hand, Professor Church believes there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the re-introduction of the mammoth would help the environment, particularly in the Far North East.
RT quotes Professor Church, who said,
“The Siberian permafrost is melting with climate change, but research suggests large mammals could stabilize it.”
Beth Shapiro, University of California professor, in her new book, ‘How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction’ explores the possibility of mammoth resurrection.
