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E ver wish you could see a woolly mammoth in real life? Or hear the call of a dodo bird? It might seem like science fiction, but the idea of bringing back extinct animals might not be so far- fetched. Scientists are studying ways to bring back animals that disappeared from Earth long ago. This idea is called de-extinction. But the process isn't as easy as hitting Undo on a keyboard. Scientists would need DNA from the extinct animal and a closely related species in order to "rebuild" the animal. It's complicated work, and it sparks many opinions. Some people think bringing back extinct species could help balance the environment. In some areas, there aren't enough predators to control animal populations. In others, there aren't enough prey for hunters to survive on. And then there are the risks. What if the animals don't survive? What if instead of helping, they mess up our environment? Ready to bring this debate to life? Let's see what readers and a professor have to say. WHAT DOES AN EXPERT SAY? Dalhousie University professor, Dr. Andrew Fenton has concerns about bringing back extinct animals. "I worry about where the animals would live. For many of them, the environment in which they used Kids Weigh In! AURORA is on the fence about bringing back extinct animals. "Reintroducing extinct animals could benefit the environment by adding new predators or prey. It also could be scary if it messes up the Earth." UNA says only some should be brought back. "Animals that naturally went extinct should be left alone. Animals that went extinct because of humans should be brought back." PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK to live is long gone," says Dr. Fenton. "Where would we put these animals? We have trouble protecting the environment for the wild animals that are already on the planet. Would we need to give up their land for these resurrected animals? It begs the question: where do our obligations lie? Is it to currently existing animals or ones we want to "de-extinct?" WILD WRAP-UP Bringing back extinct animals could help restore nature—but it comes with risks. Some think science should push the limits. But others say we should focus on supporting or saving the species that are still here. ? Should Scientists Try to Bring Back Extinct Animals? Should animals be brought back from extinction? Scan to share your opinion! HAVE YOUR SAY WILD WILD DEBATE DEBATE EMALYN is all for the idea. "It would be awesome to bring back animals that lived a long time ago!" owlkids.com 29