If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?

Werner Herzog: “Technology has a great advantage in that we are capable of creating dinosaurs and showing them on the screen even though they are extinct 65 million years. All of a sudden, we have a fantastic tool that is as good as dreams are.”

If You Could Bring Back One Dinosaur, Which One Would It Be?

Dinosaurs, those ancient and awe-inspiring creatures that once roamed the Earth, continue to captivate our imaginations. The idea of resurrecting these long-extinct reptiles has fueled countless discussions, both in scientific circles and popular culture. But could we actually bring dinosaurs back to life? Let’s explore the possibilities.

The Jurassic Park Dream

The classic concept of dinosaur resurrection often begins with a DNA-filled mosquito preserved in amber for millions of years. In “Jurassic Park,” Michael Crichton’s fictional world, scientists extract dinosaur DNA from these ancient insects and use it to clone the prehistoric creatures. However, reality diverges significantly from this Hollywood scenario.

Amber and DNA Preservation:

Amber, formed from fossilized tree resin, can indeed preserve insects and other small organisms. However, it tends to preserve the husk rather than soft tissues.
While we have discovered mosquitoes and biting flies from the time of dinosaurs preserved in amber, they don’t contain preserved blood. Unfortunately, the iconic image of extracting dinosaur DNA from an ancient mosquito is unlikely to become a reality.

Ancient Insects and Blood Residue:

Researchers have found blood residue inside ancient insects, but not in amber. For instance, a mosquito from the Eocene (around 45 million years ago) had red pigment in its abdomen.
Chemical analysis revealed haemoglobin-derived porphyrins—the breakdown products of haemoglobin, the red protein responsible for oxygen transport in vertebrate blood.
While finding a Mesozoic mosquito with preserved blood isn’t outrageous, it’s still far from the complete dinosaur DNA needed for cloning.

The Bird Connection

Since dinosaur DNA almost certainly doesn’t survive, direct cloning remains elusive. However, there’s an intriguing alternative: birds. Birds are the living descendants of dinosaurs, sharing common ancestry. In fact, they exhibit many dinosaur-like features.

Reverse-Engineering Birds:

Rather than cloning, scientists could explore reverse-engineering birds to recreate dinosaur traits.
By studying bird genomes and developmental pathways, we might uncover genetic clues about dinosaur characteristics.
Imagine a creature that combines the grace of a bird with the majesty of a dinosaur—a living link to our planet’s ancient past.

The Dryptosaurus Vote

If I had to pick just one dinosaur to bring back, I’d vote for Dryptosaurus. This theropod dinosaur lived during the Late Cretaceous period and was a formidable predator. Its resurrection would offer insights into the ecology, behavior, and physiology of these magnificent creatures.

In the end, while Jurassic Park remains fictional, our fascination with dinosaurs continues to inspire scientific inquiry. Whether through reverse-engineering or other creative approaches, the dream of encountering a living dinosaur may not be entirely out of reach.

So, which dinosaur would you choose? 🦕🦖⁴⁵

I’ve delved into the science and imagination behind dinosaur resurrection, highlighting the challenges and exciting possibilities. If you’d like more details or have other questions, feel free to ask!

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 7/27/2024
(1) Can we bring back dinosaurs? | Natural History Museum. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/could-scientists-bring-dinosaurs-back.html.
(2) Which Dinosaur Would You Clone? | Smithsonian. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/which-dinosaur-would-you-clone-39419210/.
(3) What If We Brought Dinosaurs Back From Extinction?. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKBlxyoSezo.
(4) Can We Bring Dinosaurs Back To Life?. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OUGXosc85M.
(5) What If The Dinosaurs Came Back? | Unveiled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jbaeXbkCkE.
(6) Experts Explain Whether Dinosaurs Could Be Cloned Back to Life. https://www.newsweek.com/can-dinosaurs-brought-back-life-cloning-1616975.