The Margot Abayomi Memorial Evergreen Foundation has advocated the preservation of animals’ DNA as a long-term scientific strategy for regenerating species threatened with extinction amid growing global biodiversity loss.
Dr Dayo Abayomi, co-founder of the foundation, made the call on Monday during an interview with reporters in Abuja while discussing conservation science, sustainability, policy and public awareness.
Abayomi explained that conserving genetic material from endangered animals could enable scientists to recreate species that may have disappeared, as advances in biotechnology continue through research, innovation and collaboration.
According to her, DNA is the fundamental unit of life, carrying the complete blueprint that defines an organism and determines its development, function and reproduction across species and ecosystems.
“If we can replicate the DNA system and possibly incorporate it into another animal, it could be possible to reproduce that species,” she said, explaining the concept behind genetic replication techniques.
She noted that if an animal such as the pangolin were to become extinct but its DNA had been preserved, that genetic material could be used in future scientific research and recovery efforts.
Abayomi said scientific advances could one day allow preserved DNA to be used in another animal to give birth to an endangered species, citing ongoing developments in biotechnology.
She compared the concept to existing scientific practices such as the storage of human eggs and embryos, noting that research was gradually shifting from cellular preservation to core genetic material.
“From eggs, we are moving towards preserving the actual unit that generates life and can replicate itself until it produces a complete organism,” she said.
Abayomi added that scientists and anthropologists had, in some cases, extracted DNA from ancient bones, fossils and preserved biological materials to study evolutionary history and explore regeneration possibilities.
She stressed that without proactive conservation and DNA preservation, future generations would lack critical genetic resources needed for scientific breakthroughs and species recovery efforts.
According to her, these initiatives align with the mandate of the Margot Abayomi Memorial Evergreen Foundation, which is committed to long-term environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection through conservation, advocacy, education, partnerships and research programmes.
She disclosed that the foundation, founded by three siblings, is conserving the Emerald Forest Reserve, a small forest located along a river in Ikoyi-Osun, Osun State.
Abayomi said the reserve serves as a biodiversity sanctuary and represents a practical step toward protecting wildlife and ecosystems threatened by deforestation, climate change, habitat loss, erosion and flooding.
She called for increased investment in conservation science, supportive policies and sustained public awareness to ensure that Nigeria preserves its rich biodiversity heritage for future generations.
