Breakthrough Season 1 Episode 24 Resurrecting Tasmanian Tigers

Breakthrough is a thrilling and informative series that explores humanity’s most innovative achievements in science and technology. Each episode tackles a different breakthrough, revealing the stories behind the scientific investigations and providing insight into the profound impact these leaps forward have on our world.

Season one, episode 24 of Breakthrough is titled “Resurrecting Tasmanian Tigers.” In this episode, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the secrets behind an extinct species. Tasmanian tigers, also known as thylacines, were native to Australia and Tasmania and were feared extinct since the last known specimen died in the Hobart Zoo in 1936. However, a team of scientists is using breakthrough genetic technology to bring the Tasmanian tiger back to life.

The episode begins with a brief history of the thylacine, showcasing old footage of the species in their natural habitat. As the narrator explains, the Tasmanian tiger was once a common species among its fellow marsupials, but human intervention saw their numbers dwindling down. Trapping and hunting them, as well as introducing new predators from Europe, brought their end. The Tasmanian government put a bounty on the animal's head that encouraged their elimination. As habitat loss completed its disastrous role in their extinction, by the early 20th century, they were gone completely.

Cutting back to the present day, Breakthrough introduces the scientists who are determined to bring back the thylacine using advanced genomic science. The researchers explain the plan to extract DNA from preserved specimens and analyze the genetic code. They reveal that they have already vast data and species samples, and if they are successful, they believe they will be able to recreate the Tasmanian tiger’s genome from scratch.

Viewers are then taken on a journey through the scientific methods used to revive the species, with interviews featuring scientists from around the world who are working on the project. They explain how they are using CRISPR, a revolutionary gene-editing technology that allows scientists to alter the genetic code of living organisms. They also demonstrate how the technology helps to produce new sections of DNA and fills gaps in incomplete genetic strands, all of which is part of the process of resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger.

Throughout the episode, the scientists discuss the scientific, ethical, and even practical implications that the project brings. They acknowledge that the science involved in bringing back the Tasmanian tiger is cutting edge, but that it remains a controversial topic. Many people believe that the focus should be on conserving and protecting endangered species instead of recreating extinct ones.

From there, the show delves into the practicalities and roadblocks encountered during the process of resurrecting an extinct species. The researchers explain that they must first create genetic proxies using other marsupials. They must oversee the breeding of their proxies to ensure genetic diversity and get animals to carry the traits that Thylacines had, like a stiff tail. Once everything is in place, the team will start to grow the thylacine embryos in the lab.

The episode concludes with a visit to a wildlife sanctuary in Tasmania, where the scientists release a genetically altered marsupial into the wild to observe them. “It’s going to take a long time, but we’re slowly getting there. Progress is being made,” says one of the researchers.

As an engaging and enlightening episode of Breakthrough, “Resurrecting Tasmanian Tigers” shows that science is an ever-evolving process, with new discoveries and innovations happening every day. By the end of the episode, viewers gain an appreciation of the role that genetics and technology play in understanding and recreating long-extinct species, and the potential ethical dilemmas this work can raise. Ultimately, Breakthrough challenges us to consider what we are capable of and what we can achieve when we push the boundaries of our knowledge.