Released in 1993, "Jurassic Park" remains a cinematic masterpiece that not only captivates audiences with its gripping storyline and breathtaking visuals but also raises thought-provoking questions about the realism of the cutting-edge technology shown in the movie.
The film introduced us to a 1989 timeline wherein advancements in genetic engineering have led to the resurrection of long-extinct dinosaurs. As the characters grapple with the consequences of playing with the fabric of life, the movie offers a fascinating exploration of the intersection between science, technology, and ethics.
At the heart of "Jurassic Park" is the technological marvel that serves as the film's central premise: the recreation of dinosaurs using DNA extracted from fossilized mosquitoes.
Dr. John Hammond, portrayed by Richard Attenborough, is the visionary behind this extraordinary feat, brought to life through state-of-the-art special effects.
The film showcases a brilliant fusion of animatronics, puppetry, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to craft incredibly lifelike dinosaurs that awe and terrify in equal measure.
From the majestic brachiosaurus to the terrifying velociraptors, the dinosaurs in "Jurassic Park" are a testament to the film's technological prowess, forever changing the landscape of visual effects in cinema.
However, the film doesn't merely bask in the glory of its technological achievements; it raises pertinent questions about the ethical boundaries of scientific advancement.
The character of Dr. Ian Malcolm, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, serves as the voice of caution, expressing concerns about the inherent unpredictability of complex systems like ecosystems.
His famous line, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should," resonates throughout the film as a reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked technological ambition.
This theme becomes particularly relevant as the park's security systems fail, leading to a catastrophic breach that endangers the lives of everyone on the island.
The film also highlights the vulnerability of relying on technology without fully understanding its implications. The iconic scene featuring the young hacker, Lex Murphy, portrayed by Ariana Richards, showcases the danger of placing blind faith in computer systems.
As Lex navigates the park's computer system to restore power, the audience is reminded that even the most advanced technology can succumb to glitches and vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for human oversight and accountability.
One of the film's most intense sequences involves the velociraptors hunting the protagonists in the park's visitor center. This scene exemplifies the seamless integration of practical effects and CGI, creating a nail-biting encounter that showcases the strengths of both traditional and cutting-edge filmmaking techniques.
The suspenseful cat-and-mouse game between humans and dinosaurs serves as a reminder that despite our technological prowess, we are not exempt from the primal laws of nature.
What Research Is the 'Jurassic Park' Movie Based On?
In June of 1993, one day before the movie's release, the Nature Science Journal published the discovery of a weevil trapped in wood resin 130 million years ago and perfectly preserved. Scientists found fragmentary DNA strands inside the insect, believed to be the oldest recovered DNA.
Twenty-four hours later, "Jurassic Park" was released in theaters. Whether it's a coincidence or on purpose, director Steven Spielberg got the perfect promotion for his movie not only from the production company but also from the scientific community.
"The effect was really important... It boosted ancient DNA as an early science. Something that people had never heard of suddenly became extremely popular," science historian Elizabeth Jones, who worked on a book on the story of "Jurassic Park" previously told Smithsonian Magazine.
It's a perfect example of how movies can be based on real science and cultivate their audience's imagination. Many scientists point out that much of the science shown in the film is scientifically unproven, and they are right. However, the purpose of the movie is not to prove an accurate theory but to entertain moviegoers. To this day, certain groups claim that one successfully engineered dinosaur embryo can open the floodgates to having an actual "Jurassic Park."
Still, the franchise would inspire five more movies, including "Jurassic World Dominion," released in 2022.
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Has Genetic Engineering Caught Up in 2023?
According to Mr. DNA in the movie, scientists clone dinosaurs by collecting prehistoric blood from amber-fossilized mosquitos. These mosquitos settle on trees and become entangled in tree sap that has hardened over time.
Because the retrieved DNA was insufficient, and a complete genome is required to clone an animal, scientists supplemented it with DNA from a live relative: a frog. With a complete genetic code in hand, they implant the reconstituted DNA into an ostrich egg and marvel as their dinosaurs come to life.
Since the release of "Jurassic Park," scientists have successfully cloned animals, including Dolly the Sheep in 1996 and embryos of a gastric-brooding frog (declared extinct in 2002) in 2013.
Both initiatives were unsuccessful: Dolly lived for six years before dying of a lung infection, while the embryos only lasted for a few days. According to Dr. Corey Nislow, a professor at the University of British Columbia and a former genome scientist, cloning prehistoric species is difficult.
Attempts to extract DNA from amber or related substances in the real world have been unsuccessful up to this day, and resin-embedded materials have been judged unsuitable for genetic studies.
According to Forbes, fossil tree resin is not a good choice for preserving DNA, a fragile molecule that contains genetic instructions for all known creatures' development, functioning, growth, and reproduction.
When a small animal gets trapped in a viscous fluid, the soft tissues begin to degrade instantly, and most of the DNA is lost before the entire animal is encased.
Even if some DNA is saved, the chemical components in the glue will react with it, eventually destroying it. That fact is still true until now.
No scientific breakthrough has enabled scientists to extract Dino-DNA, even if they could find a trapped insect perfectly preserved in resin, which is a very rare occurrence.
"Jurassic Park" is a timeless testament to the intersection of science, technology, and cinema. Its groundbreaking use of technology to bring dinosaurs to life forever transformed the landscape of visual effects in film.
At the same time, its exploration of ethical dilemmas serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.
As viewers continue to be enthralled by the film's gripping storyline and awe-inspiring visuals, they are also reminded of the delicate balance between our technological achievements and our responsibility to navigate them with wisdom and ethical consideration.
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