Through particularly the most recent of generations, species of animals have been moving toward endangerment or extinction in all biomes. When it is discovered for woolly mammoths to be recovered and repopulated, many researchers want to act quickly. There is circulating information indicating that they may be a benefit in combating climate change. It is clear that the Earth is in a different condition than what was a few thousand years ago. The existence of woolly mammoths are reputed to allow permafrost to be maintained by scraping off layers of snow, which keeps permafrost in contact with the cold air.
It feels unrealistic to assume that the return of woolly mammoths would imply for the tundra and other ecosystems to turn the same as it was 10,000 years ago. The world is completely different now, and it is therefore difficult to determine the positive factors of bringing them back. Due to this post industrial world we live in and the damaging impact humans now have over the environment, it would be a constant battle with the assumed positive impact mammoths would make. As a result, mammouths would not be as effective as they once were and it puts into question if bringing them back would be worth it. Then again, would it hurt? Ecosystems were faced with consequences with the extinction of the mammoths, yet they clearly have adapted and prevailed to continue existence.
Evolutionary professor Love Dalén believes if anything mammoths would negatively affect temperatures. It is also in question just how identical a hybrid mammoth will be after implementing DNA into the Asian elephant. This unnatural process has influenced researchers to believe in prevention of endangerment, rather than focusing on the already extinct.
The advantages of this process could determine the potential for other extinct species to return. If we are so concentrated on the woolly mammoth, other species that we have DNA access to deserve consideration for reversal as well. Whether mammoths would help or hinder the environment, that is unknown. It seems that they will either benefit ecosystems or keep it the same, which is why perhaps it would not be harmful to bring them back. It is clear that although the decision to bring them back is fact based, this process stems from human guilt. Humans are responsible for pushing many species into extinction, and naturally many are finding ways to rebuild a new world of biodiversity. There needs to also be the discussion of if this process would hurt any current species and if the obstacles would be worth it. The biggest challenge would be the cultivation of an artificial uterus to be implemented in the Asian elephant. Although the Asian elephant would be the closest animal to the woolly mammoth, there still lies 1.4 million genetic mutations between them, and an embryo itself would take 6 years. Even if this were to be a solidified decision, it will not be occurring in the near future.