The blue antelope, a species that went extinct over 260 years ago, may soon roam the Earth again thanks to advances in genetic engineering. Researchers have added the animal to a select list of species being studied for potential "de-extinction" through cloning and genome editing.
The blue antelope (Hippotragus leucophaeus) once inhabited the grasslands of southern Africa before being hunted to extinction in the late 18th century. Now, scientists are extracting DNA from preserved specimens and comparing it to the genome of its closest living relative, the roan antelope. By editing the roan's DNA to match the extinct species, they hope to create a viable embryo that could be brought to term by a surrogate mother.
While the project is still in early stages, experts caution that resurrecting an extinct species involves significant ethical and ecological challenges. Critics argue that resources might be better spent conserving existing endangered species. Nonetheless, the blue antelope's revival could mark a major milestone in the emerging field of de-extinction biology.