Frozen zoo

A frozen zoo is a cryogenic facility for the long term storage of animal and plant genetic material such as DNA, sperm, eggs, and embryos.

Zoos such as the San Diego Zoo [cite web
url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/10/14/tech/main525521.shtml
title=San Diego's Frozen Zoo |publisher=The Associated Press and CBS News
date=2002-10-14 |accessdate=2007-09-08] and research programs such as the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species [cite web
url=http://www.auduboninstitute.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Facility_Research_Center
title=Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species |publisher=Audubon Nature Institute |accessdate=2007-09-08] [cite web
url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/03/010309080531.htm
title=The Frozen Zoo: The University Of New Orleans And The New World Of Saving Endangered Species
date=2001-03-12 |publisher=Science Daily |accessdate=2007-09-08] in New Orleans are cryogenically preserving genetic material with the intent of protecting diversity in the gene pool of critically endangered species, or to possibly revive a species that has become extinct. The preserved material can then be used for artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, and cloning.

ee also

* Cryopreservation
* Ex-situ conservation
* Genetic pollution
* Genetic erosion
* Genepool
* Endangered species
* List of conservation topics
* Extinction

References