Perspectives April 12, 2013 7

Innovation continues to thrive in modern society

De-extinction brings hope for new beginning

By NATHAN ONGSTAFF WRITER

As the school year comes to an end and we move one step closer to adulthood, we also move closer to our life passions. But for many, ambitions are seemingly hindered simply by being born in the wrong time. With each generation that passes, innovating in any field becomes more difficult. Why wouldn’t it? Things have already been done and discovered; the opportunity to pioneer in anything becomes increasingly limited. However, while discovering something new and exciting may seem improbable in this modern age, there are still innumerable things waiting to be discovered no matter the field. Perhaps some of the more difficult fields to pioneer in are the math and sciences. With every passing era, endeavoring to land a great discovery may seem growingly difficult, but it is an in-the-moment modern bias that makes it seem so unlikely. For instance, simple concepts such as the structure of an atom or the properties of a sphere were the results of sweat and blood, much like the work many labor through today, to be discovered. While we have taken great strides in these empirical fields, at the same time there is also an unimaginably large amount of knowledge we have not even scratched.

By RU-PING CHENSTAFF WRITER

Let’s bring back the dead.As of now, scientists have come up with a new

In addition, reviving extinct animals will help provide new information and means of experimentation in scientific areas such as sexual reproduction. For example, the northern and southern gastric

carrying their children in their wombs all nine months. With the process of de-extinction, scientists can create great strides in genetic engineering. Improvements will allocate scientists to prevent

Through the reviving of mammoths, grasslands that were previously ruined by modern industrialization can be re-nurtured, allowing humans to make a small step towards improving Earth’s environment.

process called de-extinction, which aims to revive many extinct species of animals. This practice has been the subject of debate between scientists for decades. However those who oppose de-extinction fail to realize that the practice could potentially serve to benefit Earth and the human species in many ways. According to National Geographic, various extinct species of animals played important roles in the maintenance of Earth’s natural habitats. Mammoths and other extinct species of animals that occupied Siberia 12,000 years ago served to nurture their surrounding environment through their manure, which provided essential nutrients to the landscape, making it a grassy habitat. As these animals decreased in number, the grasslands changed gradually to the current bare, mossy tundra.

the spread of genetic diseases in a new generation of people. It could also serve to provide genes to endangered species of animals and ensure their survival. However, it has limits. De-extinction does not allow scientists to bring back all exterminated species because their DNA strands no longer exist, but they have the ability to bring back species whose DNA has been preserved in special laboratories. Sadly, this means we won’t be seeing dinosaurs anytime soon. Many opponents of de-extinction claim that the practice allows scientists to “play god”. However, in an essance, the humans who exterminated those extinct species were also “playing God” in that they left no chance of survival to species that later became extinct. Humans drove the bucardos, mammoths and various other species into extinction as a result of their greed for animal parts such as mammoth tusks, furs and meat that would serve to benefit humans, and failed

to take into consideration the welfare of those animals. Providing extinct species of animals another chance to survive and prosper on earth allows people to pay their debts to the animals after exterminating the last of their kind on earth. ART/SALLY TRINH

brooding frogs reproduce when the female frog swallows her fertilized eggs whole, and regurgitates her infants. Scientists can study these frogs and the way they reproduce to provide treatments and insights to pregnant women who have problems

Unlike the stony math and sciences, humanities, such as literature and music, are fickle fields, constantly evolving and adhering to the people’s whim. With

history as an indicator, no matter what age one lives in, there is still a chance to inject into literature a new style of writing, still an opportunity to reinvent music amid a stubborn culture.

In fact, whether small or landmark, recent achievements are clear examples of the seemingly impossible.

For instance, artists such as Adele and Ed Sheeran have instilled a refreshing style of music in this pop-dominated culture; John Green has reinvigorated young adult writing, sweeping away much of the youth

and bringing the “cool” back into reading; the elusive Higgs Boson, dubbed the “God Particle,” has finally made its way onto the papers and under the nanoscopic light with its discovery a mere two years ago. Indeed, these may be lofty milestones, but all our achievements matter no matter the scale. Whether the press-making breakthroughs made by organizations and research teams or the smaller, less pronounced accomplishments toiled through by aspirant high school and college students, any and every advancement we pull through as a civilization is undoubtedly invaluable. Perhaps we have such potency for achieving higher and higher because of specialization. With many bright minds all focusing on certain fields, it is no wonder we have advanced so far in mere centuries. We may be a generalized species with our knack for occupying such extensive niches, but we work best specialized. From the artists and writers to the engineers, teachers and many more, we have been able to get this far because of our remarkable ability to divide and focus. After all, although there is value in broadening one’s horizons, it is also important to narrow and hone in on certain focal points, especially on something one enjoys doing. And while the average person may end up working in a common, not-too-special career, it is best not to forget our potential not only as a whole, but also as individuals. ART/AUDREY WANG