Source: The Guardian
Scientists are exploring an innovative way to save endangered species by extracting living cells from animal dung, potentially using them for genetic rescue. Dubbed the “poo zoo,” the project aims to harness these cells for cloning and reproductive technologies, enabling the creation of sperm, eggs, and even entire animals.
Since dung contains cells shed from an animal’s intestines, researchers hope to culture and preserve these cells, providing a non-invasive way to study and enhance genetic diversity in species without capturing them. If successful, this method could allow scientists to reintroduce genetic diversity, study disease resistance, and even apply gene editing for species adaptation. While challenges like high bacteria content and large-scale dung processing remain, the approach is gaining traction. Conservationists caution that habitat protection remains key, but the poo zoo team believes genetic technologies can complement traditional conservation methods to prevent species extinction.