Name: Sandy C. and Becca S. and Jessica M.
Grade 7 Glen Crest Jr. High
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Age: N/A
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Date: N/A
Question:
Would it ever be possible for an animal to have another animals baby?
For example, women can be impregnated without having intercourse now
because of modern technology. So, could a cow for example carry an
endangered species' offspring?
Replies:
Sandy, Becca, and Jessica,
Is suspect that you have not received an answer to this question yet
because there is not a definite answer. In order to bear offspring
there are many factors that must be met. Primarily, the father and
mother must be of the same species or at least very similar. There
are so many new developments in the area of artificial insemination
that it is hard to say no, a cow can not carry and endangered species,
it is highly unlikely at this time. Keep up your curiosity, it is
a characteristic of all scientists! (By the way I teach 6th grade science
and am currently teaching a human growth and development unit in which
the students have been asking questions very similar to yours).
I wish I had the facts but maybe a local zoo keeper or veterinarian
can help you. I know this has been tried for a few species that
are similar but I don't remember the details. I vaguely recall
some efforts with some endangered goats and horses using their respective
domestic varieties as surrogates. Let NEWTON in on your findings!
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.
