The panel event featured five experts in the field of de-extinction, conservation, and biology: Dr Tommy Leung (University of New England), Professor Andrew Pask (University of Melbourne), Professor Mike Archer (University of NSW), Associate Professor Nic Rawlence (University of Otago), and Associate Professor Catherine Grueber (University of Sydney).
The calibre of speakers drew a diverse crowd, with UNE students, alumni, staff, community members, secondary school teachers, and ecological professionals all in attendance either in person on UNE Armidale campus, or online.
“It was great to be able to offer such a unique event for so many people,” event organiser, Kathleen Murphy said.
“This was the largest event the Zoology Society has ever put on and it is clear there is an appetite for more like it.”
The event was inspired by the recent breakthroughs of American company, Colossal Biosciences, which captured the attention of Kathleen and the Zoology Society executives. The successful creation of the Colossal dire wolf and woolly mouse highlighted significant advancements in de-extinction science. As a result, Kathleen convened a panel of experts to explore the implications of these developments and debate whether such progress is ultimately beneficial or detrimental to the world's ecosystems and conservation science.
The evening’s discussion ranged from the technical challenges of de-extinction to its ethical dilemmas. Should species that faced extinction at the hands of humans be prioritised over those that went extinct due to natural causes? How will bringing back an apex predator like the Tasmanian tiger affect an ecosystem that has learned to live without it? Are we truly bringing species back from extinction or just creating proxies that dupe the public and receive billions of dollars of funding from private sectors, potentially taking away from current conservation efforts? While there was passionate discussion about all these points and more, the panellists agreed on one thing: de-extinction is not just a scientific issue but a societal one, requiring input from ethicists, Indigenous communities, and the broader public.
For the UNE Zoology and Geoscience societies, the night was a resounding success, showcasing how UNE’s student clubs can facilitate important discussions about critical events happening in the world, of interest to more than just their membership.
Both the UNE Zoology and Geoscience societies are accepting new membership! Find out more about them and other UNE Life Clubs and Societies here or follow the clubs on Facebook and Instagram.
