A Cost-Effective Analysis for the De-Extinction of the Woolly Mammoth
by Ronald D Ferguson
"Recent advances in technology for rescuing extinct species have significantly improved our success rate. Bringing back some of the species lost to time is not only feasible, it appeals to the curiosity of those of us fascinated by the past. Indeed, resurrecting a lost botanical species can have many extensive economic and environmental benefits.
"However, the true cost of resurrecting an animal species is not the initial expense of recovery but rather the maintenance of the species. We estimate the annual budget needed to set aside and maintain a preserve for the Tasmanian tiger to be a hundred times what we currently spend for the rescued Monk seal. The real question facing us is allocation of resources. Are we better off maintaining existing habitat to secure the remaining Macaroni penguins, or should we spend a thousand times more money to resurrect and sustain the Ivory-billed woodpecker?
"One mitigating factor for the cost is whether the resurrected species could fill any vital niche in the ecology. If a living species already fills that niche, then the resurrection serves no economic purpose.
"Bringing back one animal as a species specimen is useful for study or exhibition, but bringing back an entire species is a matter best considered in terms of economic impact. Thank you for your attention. Any questions?"
