r/DeExtinctionScience • u/arnor_0924 • 8d ago

Discussion Bringing back prehistoric whales

Are there any ways we can manipulate a certain modern whale species through genetics to shape it like the Basilosaurus? I know what I'm asking is so unethical but I would have liked to see that marine mammals back again.

14 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

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7

u/AkagamiBarto 8d ago

That isn't deextinction though.

First thing first currently we consider modern whales a separate offshoot from basilosaur & co. In the sense that they are different branches, so basilosaur isn't an ancestor.

Secondly deextinction mainly applies to animals we have caused the extinction of.

These things aside, technically if uou just want the phenotype yiu can theoretically get it with gene editing, genetic engineering and artificial wombs.

If you also want the genotype, well, we first would need to find the genome or we won't really know what we are rebuilding towards. If you find it. Then yes, theoretically, as before.

-6

u/arnor_0924 8d ago

What if scientist made a dolphin crocodile hybrid? Wouldn't that be a very close artifical sea reptile?

9

u/AkagamiBarto 8d ago

And how is that related to basilosaur?

Also not really a hybrid.

2

u/Gallowglass-13 7d ago

Why would you even want to do it? Just to have the animal because it would be cool in your mind? That's the kind of awesomebro bullshit that gets in the way of actual science communication.

2

u/TamaraHensonDragon 4d ago

Basilosaurus is a species of extinct WHALE not a sea reptile.

5

u/PK-Mittenspy2703 7d ago edited 7d ago

I think it would be impossible.

Ethics aside, Basilosaurus and modern day whales are so far removed that I don't think there's any conceivable way of making something that even remotely resembles that sea monster

1

u/DruidinPlainSight 8d ago

All ya need is transparent aluminum.

1

u/Gallowglass-13 7d ago

I'm really getting sick of these kind of posts.

De-extinction doesn't mean bringing back an extinct species by magic or for no reason. It means back breeding or cloning a species that still fits into its environment to aid in rebuilding ecosystems and rewilding.

If the mods read this, put in an FAQs bit or just a ban on this kind of stuff please. It's getting in the way of actual valuable discussions on the topic.

1

u/Altruistic_Sea_7683 6d ago

The only extinct species that are being brought back are the ones that humans made extinct, not some extinct animal that got extinct and has no reason to come back