UPSC Current Affairs
Test tube rhinos
Context: The death of the last male in 2018 made the extinction of the northern white rhino a reality. But it is important to note that already in 2015, a group of 20 scientists from five continents had launched an expensive project to rebuild the subspecies through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). About a week ago the scientists announced the first-ever rhino pregnancy achieved by transferring a lab-made rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
VRAuthor Desk
2 min read
Context: The death of the last male in 2018 made the extinction of the northern white rhino a reality. But it is important to note that already in 2015, a group of 20 scientists from five continents had launched an expensive project to rebuild the subspecies through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). About a week ago the scientists announced the first-ever rhino pregnancy achieved by transferring a lab-made rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
Context:
- The death of the last male in 2018 made the extinction of the northern white rhino a reality.
- But it is important to note that already in 2015, a group of 20 scientists from five continents had launched an expensive project to rebuild the subspecies through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
- About a week ago the scientists announced the first-ever rhino pregnancy achieved by transferring a lab-made rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
- The international consortium of scientists, named BioRescue, is confident that the success can be replicated with 30 embryos of the northern white stored in liquid nitrogen.
About Northern White Rhino:
- The northern white rhinocerosor northern white rhino is one of two subspecies of the white rhinoceros and the other being the southern white rhinoceros.
- This subspecies is a grazer in grasslands and savanna
- It was formerly found in several countries in East and Central Africa south of the Sahara.
- But since 19 March 2018, there are only two known rhinos of this subspecies left which are named Najin and Fatu, both of which are female; barring the existence of unknown or misclassified male northern white rhinos elsewhere in Africa, this makes the subspecies functionally extinct.
- According to the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessment from 2020, the subspecies is considered as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct in the Wild).
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Economy, Polity & Governance.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to Test tube rhinos, consider the following statements:
- The death of the last male in 2018 made the extinction of the northern white rhino a reality.
- But it is important to note that already in 2015, a group of 20 scientists from five continents had launched an expensive project to rebuild the subspecies through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
- About a week ago the scientists announced the first-ever rhino pregnancy achieved by transferring a lab-made rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of Test tube rhinos for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- Context:
- About Northern White Rhino:
- Background and context
- Key facts and institutional framework
- Significance and way forward
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Test Tube Rhinos in the news?
Context: The death of the last male in 2018 made the extinction of the northern white rhino a reality. But it is important to note that already in 2015, a group of 20 scientists from five continents had launched an expensive project to rebuild the subspecies through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
What are the key facts about Test Tube Rhinos?
About a week ago the scientists announced the first-ever rhino pregnancy achieved by transferring a lab-made rhino embryo into a surrogate mother. The international consortium of scientists, named BioRescue, is confident that the success can be replicated with 30 embryos of the northern white stored in liquid nitrogen. About Northern White Rhino: The northern white rhinocerosor northern white rhino is one of two subspecies of the white rhinoceros and the other being the southern white rhinoceros.
Why is Test Tube Rhinos important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Economy, Polity & Governance and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.