Jurassic Park's Science: Not Quite Right, But Still Fun!
Costa RicaMonday, October 7, 2024
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In 1993, Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park hit theaters. It told a thrilling tale of dinosaurs brought back to life from ancient DNA. While the movie is loved by many, there's a big problem with how it shows science at work. Ben Lamm, who leads a company trying to bring back woolly mammoths, recently explained that the movie's method of extracting DNA from blood in mosquitoes isn't realistic. Real scientists crush bones and use special gear to gather DNA safely. Another issue is the idea that dinosaurs can be made dependent on a certain nutrient called lysine to keep them on an island. This just wouldn't work, as all animals need lysine and it's found in most foods.
Despite these mistakes, Jurassic Park remains popular. It's the best-reviewed film in the series and a major hit at the box office. People don't seem to mind the scientific errors because the movie is so entertaining. The story, direction, and effects make up for any science flaws. Plus, knowing about these mistakes can be interesting, as they show how writer Michael Crichton created a believable world even if it wasn't perfectly accurate.