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Reborn, but ethically torn: The real debate behind de-extinction
The debate over de-extinction isn't really about wolves or mammoths or cheetahs. Or even science. It's about us, about who we are, and who we wish to become
Kumar Abishek
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They look like escapees from Jurassic World — or better yet, Game of Thrones. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi aren't your average pampered pups. They're the modern reincarnations, at least in silhouette, of the dire wolf or Canis dirus: A burly, heavy-jawed predator that ruled Ice Age landscapes over 10,000 years ago.
Now, thanks to ancient DNA and advanced bioengineering, researchers at Colossal Biosciences -- a US-based startup calling itself a 'de-extinction company' —have achieved the extraordinary by resurrecting something uncannily close to the long-lost beast.
The story begins underground. Fossils unearthed from tar pits -- a 13,000-year-old tooth, a 72,000-year-old
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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Lucknow To Low Earth Orbit: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Heads to Space Lab
India is all set to send its second astronaut into space, nearly four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984. This time, the mission is not with Russia but in collaboration with the United States, under the Indo-US Axiom-4 mission, also referred to as Mission Akash Ganga. Space history in the making India's astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, will walk in the footsteps of Astronaut Neil Armstrong, but Mr Shukla is not going to the moon. On his fortnight mission, Mr Shukla will travel to the orbiting International Space Laboratory. Astronaut Shukla says, "As I prepare to spend 14 days aboard the ISS, I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts." Mr Shukla considers himself fortunate to have opportunity to fly all his life. With this, he wishes to inspire an entire generation, generate curiosity among kids and leave a lasting impact. Recalling his journey, Mr Shukla called it a "long" one and added, "I have been extremely fortunate and lucky to have the opportunities to fly all my life, which was a dream job for me, apply to the astronaut corps, and now, consequently, be here. Probably a week before we arrived at Axiom, I came to know that I would be going. It is my sincere endeavour through my mission to inspire an entire generation back home in the country. I want to use this opportunity to ignite curiosity among kids. Even if this story, my story, can change one life, it will be a huge success for me." Astronaut Shukla is "extremely excited" to fly to space. Charming it is since this historic second flight for an Indian astronaut will take place from the same haloed Launch Complex 39 A at the Kennedy Space Center from which Astronaut Neil Armstrong lifted off on the Apollo 11 mission on July 16, 1969, to make history by becoming the first human to step on the moon. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has selected Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old fighter pilot from the Indian Air Force (IAF), as the prime astronaut for this historic flight. He is currently in pre-launch quarantine, a standard protocol to ensure astronauts are medically fit and isolated from potential infections before lift-off. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Mr Shukla is the youngest among the four astronaut designates trained under India's Gaganyaan program. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the IAF on June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream. A decorated Fighter Combat Leader and Test Pilot, he has logged approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience across a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. When NDTV asked Group Captain Shukla about his first sortie into space and if he was confident of pulling it off, and having a happy splashdown or happy landing, he replied in his calm style. "Yes, this is my first sortie to space, and over the past year, we have been training rigorously for this mission. I feel very confident, not just in my ability, but in the ability of this team sitting here to execute this mission successfully," he said. The Axiom-4 mission, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space in partnership with NASA, will carry a four-member international crew aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew includes Dr Peggy Whitson from the United States as mission commander, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both serving as mission specialists. Dr Whitson, a 64-year-old biochemist and former NASA astronaut, is the most experienced American astronaut with 675 days in space. Her extensive experience includes 10 spacewalks totalling over 60 hours, and she currently serves as Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Her leadership is expected to provide invaluable mentorship to Mr Shukla during the mission. The backup astronaut for Mission Akash Ganga is Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the oldest among the astronaut designates. Born on August 26, 1976, in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, Mr Nair is also an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was awarded the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy. Commissioned in 1998, he is a Category-A Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot with over 3,000 hours of flying experience. He has commanded a premier Su-30 squadron and is an alumnus of the United States Staff College. Experts believe ISRO's decision to select the youngest astronaut as the prime candidate aligns with India's long-term vision for human spaceflight. With plans to send an Indian to the Moon by 2040, grooming younger astronauts ensures continuity and experience for future missions. Mission Akash Ganga was born out of the India-US joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the United States in June 2023. The agreement envisioned a collaborative effort between ISRO and NASA to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS, marking a new chapter in Indo-US space cooperation. During the mission, Mr Shukla-referred to by colleagues as "Shux" because of his call sign -will not only serve as the mission pilot but also conduct scientific research and technology demonstration experiments aboard the ISS. ISRO has also indicated that he will participate in space outreach activities, helping to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists and engineers. The mission is a significant leap for India's space ambitions. It demonstrates the country's readiness to participate in commercial and international spaceflight programs and lays the groundwork for more complex missions in the future, including lunar exploration. As Mr Shukla prepares for launch, he carries the hopes of a billion Indians eager to see their nation take its place among the world's leading spacefaring countries. With a seasoned commander like Dr Whitson by his side and a diverse international crew, Mission Akash Ganga promises to be a landmark in India's cosmic journey. "I have exceptional crewmates," says Mr Shukla, adding, "I will have these crew members for this one flight. But post this mission, these are going to be my friends for life. It has been an amazing journey. These are moments that tell you that you are getting to be a part of something much larger than yourself. I can only say how fortunate I am to be a part of this."
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Ship Carrying 3,000 Cars Burns For Over 24 Hours In The Middle Of Pacific Ocean
Last Updated: Fires involving EVs on ships are hard to extinguish due to extreme heat and the risk of reignition, often causing blazes to persist for days despite suppression efforts A significant maritime incident occurred approximately 300 miles off the coast of Alaska when a cargo ship Morning Midas, transporting 3,000 vehicles, caught fire. Among these vehicles were around 800 electric cars equipped with highly flammable lithium-ion batteries. The intensity of the fire made it too dangerous to control, leading the U.S. Coast Guard to allow the ship to burn for more than 24 hours. The fire ignited unexpectedly on a vessel travelling from China to Mexico, prompting the crew to abandon ship. The emergency signal was sent just 15 minutes after smoke was first seen on Tuesday afternoon. With no means to combat the fire, all 22 crew members evacuated to lifeboats as the fire intensified. Fortunately, a nearby commercial ship rescued them. The Coast Guard explained that overheating lithium-ion batteries can explode and release toxic gases, making any firefighting efforts extremely hazardous for both the crew and rescuers. As a result, the burning ship was monitored from a safe distance while awaiting the fire to subside. Watch The Video Here Video from the U.S. Coast Guard shows the massive cargo ship that caught fire 300 miles from the Alaskan coast earlier this more: — FOX Weather (@foxweather) June 6, 2025 According to Reuters, smoke was first observed emanating from a deck loaded with electric vehicles (EVs). The specific brands of the vehicles on board remain unknown. Fires involving EVs on ships are particularly difficult to put out due to the intense heat they produce and the risk of reignition, which can last for days. The Coast Guard reported that both aircrew and a cutter ship have been dispatched to help manage the situation, with three vessels already present at the scene. Zodiac Maritime, the London-based company that owns the ship, stated that no firefighting vessels were nearby, and a specialised rescue team is expected to arrive at the spot. US agencies are set to investigate the incident. The Morning Midas had departed Yantai, China, on May 26 and was scheduled to arrive at the port of Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico on June 15, passing through major electric vehicle export hubs like Shanghai and Nansha. According to the International Energy Agency, over 60 percent of EVs sold in Mexico in 2023-24 were imported from China. According to the Reuters report, in 2022, a vessel transporting 4,000 luxury cars, including Porsches and Bentleys, sank near the Portuguese Azores archipelago nearly two weeks after a fire broke out. Fires on ships, especially container ships, car carriers, and roll-on/roll-off vessels, are a major concern for insurers. Incidents of this nature across all types of vessels reached their highest level in a decade in 2024, as reported by Allianz Commercial. Allianz highlighted in its 2025 safety and shipping review report that the risk remains substantial due to the large size of these ships and the complex challenges involved in firefighting and salvage operations. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Anand Mahindra finds Monday motivation in Bengaluru professor behind Chenab railway bridge
Industrialist Anand Mahindra's latest dose of Monday motivation comes from an inspiring story of of Dr G Madhavi Latha, a Bengaluru-based professor who played a key role in constructing the world's tallest railway arch, the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. Also Read - 'Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar are the main culprits': BJP protests at Vidhana Soudha over Bengaluru stampede tragedy Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Mahindra Group chairman lauded Dr Latha's unwavering commitment to the landmark project. 'An accomplished geotechnical engineer and Professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, she played a pivotal role in the construction of the Chenab Railway Bridge. A commitment that she fulfilled over 17 years. Dr G Madhavi Latha Garu is my Monday Motivation,' Mahindra posted. While the Chenab Bridge has captured national attention for being the tallest railway bridge on the planet — soaring 359 metres above the riverbed and standing even taller than the Eiffel Tower — it's the behind-the-scenes dedication of experts like Prof Latha that made it a reality. Also Read - CM Siddaramaiah explains suspension of top cops over Bengaluru stampede incident, defends his government A specialist in rock engineering from the Civil Engineering Department at IISc, Latha was roped in by Northern Railways and the project contractor Afcons back in 2005. Her involvement spanned nearly two decades, during which she offered crucial technical advice on some of the project's most challenging aspects — including slope stability and the foundation design of the bridge. These were vital components, especially given the complex and fragile Himalayan terrain. The ₹1,486-crore project, recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now links the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India by rail. It not only showcases India's engineering prowess but also underscores the importance of academic and scientific collaboration in public infrastructure projects.
