Jurassic Park: Fact from Fiction and is a T-Rex going to knock down your door?

When Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park roared into theaters in 1993, it captivated audiences with its groundbreaking visual effects and thrilling depiction of dinosaurs brought back to life. Adapted from Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel, the film explored the tantalising concept of genetic engineering—an idea that has since sparked both scientific curiosity and ethical debates. But how much of the science portrayed in Jurassic Park is grounded in reality, and how much is pure science fiction?

Being over 30 years old, scientific advancements have furthered in the field of palaeontology and genetics... however could this ever actually happen? My childhood fears are amplified at the thought but as a woman of science, could a T-Rex knock my door down?

In Jurassic Park, scientists manage to resurrect dinosaurs through a process that involves extracting DNA from ancient mosquitoes preserved in amber. This DNA is then used to clone dinosaurs, leading to the creation of a living, breathing prehistoric zoo. While this premise is undeniably exciting, it raises several questions about the feasibility of such a process based on our current understanding of genetics, paleontology, and biotechnology.

"How its Done" - according to Spielberg VS Actual Fact

In Jurassic Park, the idea of bringing dinosaurs back to life is central to the plot and sounds like a wild mix of science fiction and high-tech wizardry. So, how exactly do they pull off this incredible feat in the movie? Let’s dig into the science behind the dino resurrection and see where reality meets imagination.

1. The DNA Discovery

Film:

First up, we’ve got the discovery of dinosaur DNA. In the movie, scientists extract ancient DNA from mosquitoes that were trapped in amber—fossilized tree resin—millions of years ago. The idea is that these mosquitoes had bitten dinosaurs and were preserved with their blood intact.

Reality:

This part of the movie is pretty imaginative. While DNA does degrade over time, in reality, the chances of finding usable dinosaur DNA in amber are slim. Most scientists think the DNA would be too broken down after millions of years. This means that it would inhibit the ability for beneficial extraction and the DNA couldn't be used even if blood was found.

2. The Genetic Puzzle

Film:

Once they’ve got the DNA, the next challenge is to piece it together. In Jurassic Park, they use advanced technology to fill in the gaps of the DNA sequence. They also use DNA from other animals to fill in missing parts.

Reality:

This concept is grounded in some real science—geneticists often use DNA from closely related species to help complete or repair genetic sequences. But for dinosaurs, finding a suitable "filler" animal is a bit of a stretch, as there’s no direct descendant of dinosaurs alive today. Some cases of this being used are animals in similar parts of the genetic tree, as well as those in the same species. Human DNA replacement is one of the key pillars of Molecular Biology in medical applications but also bioengineering.

3. The Cloning Process

Film:

With the DNA reconstructed, the movie takes us to the cloning stage. Scientists in the film inject the dinosaur DNA into a frog’s egg cell, which then starts to develop into a dinosaur embryo.

Reality:

Cloning technology is real but still in its infancy. Cloning an entire organism, especially something as complex as a dinosaur, is far beyond our current capabilities. Plus, there are countless biological and ethical hurdles that would need to be overcome. This film was made and released 3 years prior to the most famous (and sketchy) case of genetic cloning, sweet Dolly the sheep who was born in 1996.

4. The Dinosaur Park

Finally, once the embryos grow into full-grown dinosaurs, they’re placed in the park where they’re supposed to live happily among tourists. This part of the film is where the fun really begins—watching dinosaurs roam the earth again. But, of course, it also highlights the dangers of messing with nature.

This bit is the least scientifically based and is really for shock and entertainment value (which has it evident merit). SO.... could this happen? As you probably guessed... the chances would be PRETTY slim. Scientific improbabilities are prevelant in this case, and ironically... the more time that passes, the biological uncontrolled variables (such as the decay of DNA) just begin to get worse and worse. The idea of reviving dinosaurs remains a captivating blend of real scientific principles and speculative fiction. As cool as it would be to see real-life dinosaurs, for now, it’s all about enjoying the ride on the big screen and letting our imaginations roam with the dinosaurs!

All in all, if you manage to grow a dinosaur beyond those inflatable ones from Amazon; stay safe and practice safe biochemical engineering!

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-44293060