Hendrik Poinar: Bring back the woolly mammoth!

The transcript discusses the possibility of sequencing extinct genomes and reviving species like the woolly mammoth. It explores mammoth evolution, extinction, and the challenges of DNA preservation. Advances in sequencing techniques have revealed interbreeding among mammoth species and the potential to revive them using Asian elephant chromosomes. Ethical considerations are highlighted, emphasizing the need for thoughtful discussion before proceeding with such endeavors.

What inspired the idea of reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth?

• The extinction of dinosaurs

• The well-preserved remains of woolly mammoths

• The movie 'Jurassic Park'

• The discovery of living insects in amber

Which species of mammoth was adapted to woodland environments?

• Meridionalis

• Columbian mammoth

• Trogontherii

• Woolly mammoth

What is a key factor in the preservation of DNA over time?

• The type of soil it is buried in

• The presence of amber

• The size of the organism

• The consistency of the burial temperature

What percentage of DNA in a mammoth preserved in permafrost is typically mammoth DNA?

• 50%

• 75%

• 25%

• 10%

What is the relationship between the mammoth and the Asian elephant based on their genomes?

• They are completely unrelated

• They share a recent common ancestor 6 million years ago

• They share a common ancestor 7 million years ago

• They evolved independently

What is a potential method for reviving the woolly mammoth?

• Cloning from preserved carcasses

• Using Asian elephant chromosomes modified with mammoth DNA

• Breeding existing elephants with mammoth traits

• Finding living mammoths in remote areas

What is a major ethical consideration in reviving extinct species?

• The availability of technology

• The popularity of the species

• The impact on current ecosystems

• The cost of the project

Where could revived woolly mammoths potentially be housed?

• In zoos around the world

• In the north of Siberia and Yukon

• In tropical rainforests

• In urban wildlife parks

What is a challenge in reconstructing the mammoth genome?

• Inability to find mammoth remains

• Lack of available technology

• Legal restrictions

• Short DNA fragments

What is the significance of the interbreeding between woolly and Columbian mammoths?

• It shows they were the same species

• It highlights the adaptability of mammoths

• It indicates genetic diversity

• It suggests they lived in the same habitat