HomeNewsForumA‑ZStoriesImagesColumns

Science & Technology

Scientists grow embryos of extinct frog

By T.K. Randall
March 20, 2013 · Comment icon

19 comments

Image Credit: stockxpert

A unique species of extinct frog that gives birth through its mouth may soon be rising from the dead.

In a remarkable experiment, scientists have succeeded in creating live embryos of the extinct gastric-brooding frog which died out in 1983. The appropriately named Lazarus project combined preserved genetic material from the extinct species and inserted it in to donor eggs from a live frog. The resulting embryos managed to live for up to three days, a huge step forward in the process of bringing an extinct species back to life.

"This is the first time this technique has been achieved for an extinct species," said biologist Michael Mahony. The accomplishment isn't quite Jurassic Park but it is a crucial step forward in the process of de-extinction. "We do expect to get this guy hopping again," said team leader Professor Mike Archer.

In what may be considered an early Easter miracle, an extinct species of native frog has begun its rise from the dead. Australian scientists have grown embryos containing the revived DNA of the extinct gastric-brooding frog, the crucial first step in their attempt to bring a species back to life.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald | Comments (19)

Tags:

Recent comments on this story

#10 Posted by Sundew 12 years ago

Most of the research for deextinction focuses on animals humans have directly or indirectly made extinct. The thylacine would be a great candidate. We killed it off mistaking it for a serious predator of sheep. Parts of Tasmania are still similar to its original habitat, and there are a few offshore islands one proposed as suitable for a population. It may seem a waste of resources, however these extinct species represent a missing piece of their ecosystems and these systems have been altered by man's ignorance. If there is away to correct this it seems like we have an obligation to do so.

#11 Posted by CrimsonKing 12 years ago

We my personal view is that we have a gift that other species don't. I don't think we are better but I think we have evolved to be able to make a difference to this planet and have a very big impact. I see thta as a responsibility. We should use our intelligence and skills to make the world better and try to protect it. I don't believe half of what we do is "natural" or right. I often hear people say the reason we over fish or hunt other animals is because we are above them and because we can. Well in my opinion that is abusing power. The Native Americans where right when they said, take what ... [More]

#12 Posted by Coffey 12 years ago

The last part of this post is just a cheap little shot about gun owners that had absolutely nothing to do with this topic.I would appreciate if you use a different method to take these little jabs in the future other than using others heritage to make your points. You completely took me wrong. I never made any comment aimed at Gun ownership. I believe Americans should have guns if they want to, just like I believe the it should be the same in the UK. I also don't mind people hunting for food, as long as they are doing it for food and being selective in the proper way and not harming nature. Ki... [More]

#13 Posted by Andromedan Starseed 333 12 years ago

That's cool and awesome now this is science some science there's more to science of course.let's bring back dodo birds back too and platypus lol

#14 Posted by CrimsonKing 12 years ago

I don't get how someone can kill something with a gun and feel proud of themselves. Seems pathetic to me, I see no achievement in that. As i said i agree with the rest of that post,but remember many native americans used rifles for hunting once the europeans brought them here.It is not the weapon used that is wrong or pathetic,it is the reason one is hunting that can be. Can you answer the last part of my previous post?Think we even have the right enviroment around anywhere for those animals?

#15 Posted by Coffey 12 years ago

As i said i agree with the rest of that post,but remember many native americans used rifles for hunting once the europeans brought them here.It is not the weapon used that is wrong or pathetic,it is the reason one is hunting that can be. I should have been clearer, I meant people who hunt for trophies and use rifles I don't get how they can feel an achievement because they used a rifle. I never meant hunting in general with a rifle is wrong. I just meant there is no real "sport" or greatness in being able to shoot an animal. Hunting for food with a rifle is fine, I have nothing against that an... [More]

#16 Posted by regeneratia 12 years ago

Whoa! Very interesting.

#17 Posted by Collateral Damage 12 years ago

Something doesn't feel right about this. We should be spending resources on trying to help species that are in danger of becoming extinct, not bringing the ones that are extinct back, that would surely cause more problems to an ecosystem than it would it. While I do agree that we should be putting forth a far more solemn attempt of prevention, many species have died due to natural cause. Our ability of possessing consciousness doesn't verify the outright murdering of a species, simply because we say, "I can." — but the ability to make amends and restore the lives of a wrongfully destroyed sp... [More]

#18 Posted by Geldoblam 12 years ago

Woot! 3 days! Way to go, guy!

#19 Posted by lone wolf2 12 years ago

Let's bring back the dinosaurs. It worked out so well in jarassic park

Click here to view all 19 comments on this story

Please Login or Register to post a comment.

Our new book is out now!

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

AVAILABLE NOW

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!

Support us on Patreon

BONUS CONTENT

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

On the forum

Stories, Sightings & Experiences

Canadian in a past life?

Dream scents/Fragrances

I screwed up big

Did I see a sasquatch child?

Philosophy and Psychology

'World's smartest man' offers theory on ...

Marcus Aurelius - The Power of INDIFFERE...

Interview with one of the world highest ...

Pure evil

Spirituality, Religion and Beliefs

The Spirituality of Pagans and Non-Belie...

Genesis Creation vs. Macroevolution Myth

India's largest museum dedicated to Jain...

Interview with Gregg Braden

United States and the Americas

Musk calls for government shutdown

'It's become uncomfortable for me': Jord...

Bird flu kills Olympic Peninsula cougars...

Lighting up NYC: World's largest menorah...

Total Posts: 7,730,411 Topics: 322,664 Members: 202,829

Not a member yet ? Click here to join - registration is free and only takes a moment!

	1.	Extraterrestrial
	2.	Electronic Voice Phenomenon
	3.	Ghost
	4.	Paranormal
-	5.	Spirit Photography (Classic)
	6.	Pareidolia
	7.	Phoenix Lights
	8.	Storm Area 51
	9.	Orb
	10.	Roswell Incident

Scientists grow embryos of extinct frog

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

Support us on Patreon

Resurfaced 1999 interview hints at 2025 disclosure of Area 51's secrets

From Saint Nicholas to Kris Kringle: the many names of Santa Claus

'MrBeast' to spend 100 hours hunting for ghosts inside Giza's pyramids

Mysterious man keeps showing up at road accident scenes in Nebraska

'World's smartest man' offers theory on what happens when we die

'Killer squirrels' observed hunting down and eating other animals