One might think of it as an ethical dilemma, but others say it’s more than that. What if we could through science recreate once extinct animals and put them back in the wild? Sounds a bit strange, but the issue recently arose because a type of wolf has been regenerated, and some naturalists are concerned about putting species back into a nature they have not experienced.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature wants a pause in releasing any regenerated animal, stating it is more important to try to save animals near extinction, such as Arctic seals due to the loss of sea ice due to climate change warming. Seals aren’t the only creatures facing extinction. Deforestation due to the demand for palm oil has resulted in the loss of many bird species.
Palm oil? It’s in almost every packaged item you buy from cookies, margarine and peanut butter to cosmetics, soaps and shampoos. You’ll find it on the very fine print of ingredients. In peanut butter it serves as a stabilizer; its high melting point keeps breakfast bars from dissolving during shipping. When you shop, look for the CSPO label which indicates that the palm oil comes from a sustainable source.
Prayer for the Day
With your hand, O God, you brought us out of the dust,
And with your breath you gave us life;
With your heart, O Lord, you formed us into your likeness,
And with your soul you made us sentient beings.
May we respond to the power of your creation
To the world around us and all that inhabit it,
In the name of the One who embodies your creation,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Worldwide, we have now destroyed over half of the forest that once flourished on our planet. Not only are we losing the animals that once lived on them, we’re also changing the climate of the entire globe.
David Attenborough, British naturalist
Deforestation is changing our climate, harming people and the natural world. We must, and can reverse this trend.
Jane Goodall, naturalist (1935-2025)
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the fields exult, and everything in it
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord
Psalm 96: 11-12