My topic would be genetic engineering to revive extinct species, inspired by the recent development of wooly mice. While fascinating from a scientific perspective, I feel the fanfare around this achievement shows a human tendency to distract ourselves with the future to stop thinking about the issues of today.
The characters in this picture are the wooly mouse and the mummified wooly mammoth (based Lyuba, an actual specimen). The former represents the excitement of scientific achievement, but also humanity’s fascination with futurism and its use as escapism from the present. Engineering new, intriguing species, but neglecting the countless animals in need of conservation and support. The latter represents the grim reality of decay and extinction, representing both species lost to time and those on the verge of extinction. The corpse of Lyuba stands as a stark reminder, that if humanity does not start caring about the present, it will repeat the mistakes of its past and destroy any biodiversity our planet has left,
My stance on this view is subjective, as I believe one cannot ignore the past and present in their pursuit of the future. Progress is good, but our current reality cannot be forfeited to achieve it.
The emotional core of this drawing is the contrast between the palatable, pleasant visage of the mouse (the appetizing idea of futuristic progress) contrasted with the shriveled, grim reality of decay and extinction evoked by the mummified mammoth.