“Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have embarked on a pioneering mission to resurrect the extinct Christmas Island rat, leveraging cutting-edge genetic editing techniques. Despite their groundbreaking efforts, the team has encountered significant hurdles, only managing to reconstruct 95% of the rat’s genome. This missing portion crucially impacts the rat’s smell and immunity, potentially jeopardizing its survival if brought back to life. Senior author Tom Gilbert emphasized the challenges posed by the remaining 5% gap, likening it to the substantial genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees. While genetic editing holds promise for reviving extinct species like the mammoth and Tasmanian tiger, experts caution against prioritizing such endeavors over conservation efforts. With ongoing attempts worldwide to resurrect long-lost creatures, the debate rages on about the ethical and practical implications of playing genetic caretaker to the past.”