Dodo De-extinction Project: Why scientists are planning to bring back the bird to Mauritius

Source: The post is based on the article “Dodo De-extinction Project: Why scientists are planning to bring back the bird to Mauritius” published in “Indian Express” on 9th December 2023

Why in the News?

Scientists have launched an ambitious Dodo De-extinction Project to bring the dodo back to life and also re-introduce it in its once-native habitat in Mauritius.

What is Dodo?

What is the Dodo De-extinction project?

1) The Dodo Extinction Project is an ambitious project to bring back the extinct dodo bird to life.

2) The project is a collaboration between genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation 

3) Scientists will edit the primordial germ cells (PGCs) of the Nicobar pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative, to express the physical traits of a dodo. These edited PGCs will then be inserted into the embryos of a sterile chicken and rooster, who will act as ‘interspecies surrogates’. In theory, when the chicken and rooster reproduce, they will give birth to a dodo offspring.

Note- PGCs are basically embryonic precursors of a species’ sperm and egg.

What are the benefits of the Dodo De-extinction project?

1) Ecological Restoration: The dodo played a crucial role in seed dispersal and its return could help restore the island’s ecosystem.

2) Inspires Conservation Efforts: The project’s symbolism could inspire people and promote global conservation efforts.

3) Technology Advancement: The de-extinction technology being used to revive the dodo would help to conserve and restore other avian populations.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment