No, the baiji cannot be cloned.
Despite advancements in genetic technology, cloning the baiji (Chinese river dolphin) is not considered possible. According to Ding Wang of the Institute of Hydrology in Wuhan, China, where the last known captive baiji, Qi-Qi, was kept, the idea of cloning the baiji back from the dead is simply "not possible."
Challenges in De-extinction Efforts
Bringing an extinct or functionally extinct species back through cloning, a process often referred to as "de-extinction," faces formidable hurdles:
- Viable Genetic Material: The primary challenge is obtaining intact, viable cells or high-quality DNA from the baiji. DNA degrades over time, especially in environments not conducive to preservation. For cloning to be successful, a complete and undamaged nucleus from a somatic cell is typically required.
- Surrogate Mothers: Even if viable genetic material were available, a surrogate mother from a closely related species would be necessary to carry the cloned embryo to term. Finding a suitable and willing surrogate for an aquatic mammal like the baiji, which has specific environmental and physiological needs, presents significant ethical and practical difficulties.
- Ecological Niche: Cloning an individual does not recreate an entire species' population or its intricate ecosystem. The baiji's extinction was primarily due to severe habitat degradation, pollution, and human activities. Introducing a cloned individual into an unrecovered environment would likely lead to the same fate.
- Genetic Diversity: A single cloned individual, or even a few, would lack the genetic diversity essential for a healthy, resilient population capable of adapting to environmental changes and avoiding inbreeding depression.
While scientific efforts continue to explore the possibilities of de-extinction for various species, the practical and biological barriers for the baiji remain insurmountable with current technology.
