Fact Check: Are dinosaurs coming back?

Are Dinosaurs Coming Back?

The claim that "dinosaurs are coming back" has gained traction in recent discussions, particularly with advancements in genetic engineering and de-extinction efforts. This assertion raises questions about the feasibility of reviving long-extinct species, including dinosaurs, through modern science. While some companies and researchers are exploring the potential for de-extinction, the specifics of how this could apply to dinosaurs remain highly speculative.

What We Know

1. De-extinction Efforts: Companies like Colossal Biosciences are at the forefront of de-extinction research, focusing on species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo. They have received significant funding to explore genetic engineering techniques that could theoretically allow for the revival of extinct species, although their primary focus is not on dinosaurs at this time 57.

2. Scientific Limitations: Experts have expressed skepticism regarding the possibility of bringing back dinosaurs specifically. The genetic material required to recreate dinosaurs is not available, as DNA degrades over time, and the last dinosaurs lived approximately 66 million years ago. Current genetic techniques are more applicable to species with more recent extinction timelines 8.

3. Recent Discoveries: Paleontologists continue to make significant discoveries about dinosaurs, including new species identified in 2023. These findings enhance our understanding of the evolutionary history of dinosaurs but do not contribute to the feasibility of their resurrection 23.

4. Extinction Research: Ongoing research into the causes of the dinosaurs' extinction, including studies that suggest multiple factors beyond the well-known asteroid impact, is shedding light on their demise but does not indicate any possibility of their return 16.

Analysis

The claim that dinosaurs could come back is rooted in the broader context of de-extinction science, which is still in its infancy. The sources discussing de-extinction efforts, such as Colossal Biosciences, are credible in terms of their scientific background and funding; however, they also carry a potential bias as they are companies seeking to promote their research and attract investment. This could lead to optimistic portrayals of their capabilities.

• Colossal Biosciences: Their focus on de-extinction is ambitious, but their claims about reviving dinosaurs are not substantiated by current scientific consensus. The company has primarily focused on more recent extinctions, which are more feasible for de-extinction efforts 57.

• Skepticism from Experts: Scientific literature and expert opinions suggest that while de-extinction of certain species is theoretically possible, the resurrection of dinosaurs is viewed as highly improbable due to the lack of viable DNA and the complexities involved in their biology 8.

• Media Representation: Articles from sources like CNN and IFLScience present a mix of scientific optimism and caution, often highlighting the limitations of current technology while also acknowledging the excitement surrounding de-extinction research 48.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The assertion that dinosaurs are coming back is false. Key evidence supporting this conclusion includes the consensus among experts that the genetic material necessary for recreating dinosaurs is not available, as DNA degrades over time and the last dinosaurs lived approximately 66 million years ago. Current de-extinction efforts are primarily focused on species that have gone extinct more recently, making the resurrection of dinosaurs highly improbable.

It is important to note that while advancements in genetic engineering and de-extinction research are ongoing, they do not currently extend to dinosaurs. The excitement surrounding these scientific endeavors should be tempered by an understanding of their limitations and the speculative nature of claims regarding the revival of long-extinct species.

Readers should also be aware that the information available is subject to change as new research emerges. Therefore, it is crucial to critically evaluate claims and seek out reliable sources when encountering sensational assertions about scientific possibilities.

Sources

1. Study Removes Human Bias From Debate Over Dinosaurs. Dartmouth College. Retrieved from Dartmouth
2. The Top Ten Dinosaur Discoveries of 2023. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved from Smithsonian
3. What dinosaur was discovered in 2023? The Environmental Literacy Council. Retrieved from Environmental Literacy Council
4. Scientists say they are close to resurrecting a lost species. CNN. Retrieved from CNN
5. Colossal Biosciences Plan to Bring Back Dinosaurs Using Modern Science. The Philox. Retrieved from The Philox
6. More than a meteorite: New clues about the demise of dinosaurs. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from ScienceDaily
7. Scientists Working To Resurrect Dinosaurs, Extinct Animals. i24 News. Retrieved from i24 News
8. Can We Bring Back Dinosaurs, And Is Anyone Trying To? IFLScience. Retrieved from IFLScience
9. Dire Wolf 'Back From Extinction'—Could Woolly Mammoths. Newsweek. Retrieved from Newsweek
10. Newly discovered 'primitive cousins of T rex' shed light on the end of. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from ScienceDaily