Bring ‘Em back alive: Taming the Tasmanian tiger cloning project

In September 1999, the Australian Museum in Sydney launched a high-profile research project to use ancient DNA in an attempt to clone the extinct thylacine (colloquially known as the Tasmanian tiger). This paper analyzes how Australian mass media—and the stakeholders who contributed to news coverage of the project—represented the notion of “bringing back” the thylacine. Specifically, it applies monster theory to an analysis of how stakeholders tried to domesticate the relatively new conservation tool of ancient DNA and thus bring it in line with cultural norms and conservation paradigms. The case study does not judge whether or not it will become possible to clone an extinct species. Instead, it focuses on public reaction to the idea of using the tools of ancient DNA to “resurrect” an extinct and iconic species, in order to evaluate one highly visible confrontation between society and biotechnology.