Scientists hope to revive extinct mammal through stem cells and gene-editing in a first – The Mirror

The group of scientists planned to take stem cells from a living marsupial species with a similar DNA, before using gene-editing technology to revive the extinct species - or a close approximation of it

Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Scientists are launching a project aiming to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction through stem cells and gene-editing technology.

The last of the extinct marsupials, which are officially called thylacines, died in the 1930s.

The team behind the project said the tiger could be recreated using stem cells and gene-editing technology.

If successful, the thylacine would be the first of its kind to be reintroduced to the wild in 10 years time.

However, some experts are sceptical, suggesting de-extinction is a thing of science fiction.

According to BBC reports , the thylacine was given its nickname of Tasmanian tiger due to the stripes along its back.

However, it was actually a marsupial, the variety of Australian mammal that raises its young in a pouch.

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The mixed group of Australian and US scientists planned to take stem cells from a living marsupial species with a similar DNA, before using gene-editing technology to revive the extinct species - or a close approximation of it.

The project would require a number of scientific breakthroughs in order to be successful.

If carried out, it would represent a remarkable achievement for the researchers attempting it.

Professor Andrew Pask, who is leading the research from the University of Melbourne, said: "I now believe that in 10 years' time we could have our first living baby thylacine since they were hunted to extinction close to a century ago," .

Tasmanian tiger numbers declined when humans arrived in Australia tens of thousands of years ago.

The population dwindled even further when humans arrived in Australia tens of thousands of years ago and again when dingoes, a species of wild dog, appeared.

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Tasmanian tigers eventually only roamed free on the island of Tasmania, where they were ultimately hunted to extinction.

The last captive Tasmanian tiger died in 1936, at Hobart Zoo.

De-extinction and the science behind it has its critics, with Associate Professor Jeremy Austin from the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, calling de-extinction fairytale science.

Professor Austin, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, said the project was "more about media attention for the scientists and less about doing serious science".

The idea to bring back the Tasmanian tiger has been around for more than 20 years.

The Australian Museum started to pursue a project to clone the animal back in 1999 and various attempts have been made at intervals ever since either to extract or rebuild viable DNA from samples.

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Scientists hope to revive extinct mammal through stem cells and gene-editing in a first - The Mirror