Should We Bring Back Extinct Species?
Section #1
The idea of bringing extinct species back to life is known as “de-extinction,” and it’s now a legitimate scientific field. By extracting DNA from museum specimens and splicing it into the cells of similar living species, scientists say they can engineer animals back into existence. Researchers have started thinking seriously about which extinct species to focus their efforts on. Near the top of most lists are the woolly mammoth, which lived in the Arctic and went extinct about 4,000 years ago, and the passenger pigeon, which was once the most common bird in North America but went extinct in 1914.
But just because scientists may be able to bring species back doesn’t mean they should. Two scientists debate the ethics of de-extinction.
1. Which context clue strategy does the author use for the term "de-extinction"?
(1 point)
Responses
synonym
synonym
antonym
antonym
inference
inference
explanation/example
Question 2
2. What is the central idea of section #1?(1 point)
Responses
Wooly mammoths lived in the Arctic over 40,000 years ago.
Wooly mammoths lived in the Arctic over 40,000 years ago.
Scientists are able to engineer extinct animals back into existence.
Scientists are able to engineer extinct animals back into existence.
Passenger pigeons went extinct in 1914.
Passenger pigeons went extinct in 1914.
Scientists can extract DNA.
Scientists can extract DNA.
Question 3
3. Examine the author's word choice at the end of section #1. Which position does the author seem to show bias toward? In other words, which position does the author seem to agree with?(1 point)
Responses
We should bring back extinct species.
We should bring back extinct species.
We should not bring back extinct species.
1. The author uses the strategy of explanation/example to define the term "de-extinction." By explaining that it involves extracting DNA from museum specimens and splicing it into the cells of similar living species, the author provides an example of how the process works.
2. The central idea of section #1 is that scientists have developed the ability to engineer extinct animals back into existence. This is highlighted by the discussion of extracting DNA from museum specimens and splicing it into living species, as well as the mention of the woolly mammoth and passenger pigeon as potential species for de-extinction.
3. The author seems to show bias toward the position of bringing back extinct species. This can be inferred from the statement "just because scientists may be able to bring species back doesn’t mean they should," implying that the author believes it is ethically acceptable to bring back extinct species.