Approach to the future
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| Scenario as thriller vehicle |
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Ratings
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| Futurism: 6 |
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| Entertainment: 8 |
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| Plausibility: 7 |
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Interesting depictions
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| Genetic engineering: |
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| Tycoon John Hammond is constructing a theme park with real dinosaurs as the main attraction. His scientists have recreated them by extracting DNA from insects preserved in amber, with missing pieces supplemented by modern reptilian DNA. |
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| Dinosaur blood samples probably could be found in ancient insects, and scientists have reported retrieving DNA from a dinosaur bone, as well as insects older than the dinosaurs. However, these claims are controversial, and DNA may be too unstable to last more than tens of thousands of years. |
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| It might in time be possible to reconstruct even highly fragmented DNA, if it is available. Living pseudo-dinosaurs might also be made anew, using genetic engineering techniques that will be developed in coming decades. This would be difficult. |
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| Much more likely is the resurrection of more recently extinct animals via cloning. Tissue samples are available from many late-Pleistocene and modern animals, such as mammoths, mastodons, giant ground sloths, cave bears, and dodos. Whole mammoth carcasses have been found frozen in Siberia and Alaska. |
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| So we have their DNA, and need to overcome two barriers to cloning: the need for living cells, and bringing the clone to term. Kindred animals might be enlisted to mother some ancient animals—elephants might be able to carry baby mammoths, for instance. |
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| Several cloning efforts are underway, and it seems likely that in 5-15 years some extinct animals may reappear. In time, whole "Pleistocene Parks" of formerly extinct creatures may open. |
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| Futuristmovies.com, © 2001 Josh Calder |
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