Colossal Biosciences is on the brink of resurrecting the ancient woolly mammoth, with experts warning of potential unintended consequences. The genetic engineering company in Texas has made significant technological advancements that bring it closer to recreating extinct species. Colossal Biosciences announced that it is close to reviving the woolly mammoth, using intact DNA from recovered remains. The company aims to introduce genetically engineered woolly mammoth-elephant hybrid calves by 2028.
CEO Ben Lamm and genomics pioneer George Church founded Colossal Biosciences in 2021, with Church known as the “father of synthetic biology.” Their Woolly Mammoth Project plans to create a genetically engineered mammoth using an Asian elephant surrogate for reintroduction into the wild. Lamm believes the woolly mammoth’s return will benefit the Arctic ecosystem, where it became extinct around 4,000 years ago.
The company is also working on resurrecting the Tasmanian Tiger, using preserved DNA to reconstruct 99.9% of its genome. Colossal Biosciences plans to release a nearly identical Thylacine into the Tasmanian landscape. The company has achieved breakthrough successes in the project, with Chief Science Officer Beth Shapiro leading the way.
Despite the exciting advancements, critics warn that de-extinction efforts may divert resources from protecting endangered species and pose unpredictable implications. Some experts caution that the consequences of genetic tinkering with nature are hard to foresee. While de-extinction could potentially help biodiversity conservation efforts, further research and consideration of various factors are necessary to ensure positive outcomes.
As the debate continues, Associate Professor Julie Old, a biologist and marsupial immunologist, highlights the numerous unknowns associated with genetically resurrecting extinct species. The ethical and ecological implications of such advancements require thorough examination before moving forward with de-extinction projects. Old expressed concerns about the challenges of reintroducing mammals back into their original habitats, citing logistical issues such as disease risk, genetic diversity, habitat selection, and potential impact on existing wildlife populations. She highlighted the lack of knowledge about the behavior and ecological needs of extinct animals, making it difficult to determine factors like hunting skills, home range size, and release numbers.
On the other hand, Lamm defended the concept of de-extinction as a way to address human-induced damage to nature, focusing on restoring species that have been negatively impacted by human activities. He emphasized the importance of creating a genetic “toolkit” to combat issues like elephant herpesviruses in baby elephants, suggesting that de-extinct animals could be engineered to be superior to their original counterparts.
Overall, the debate surrounding de-extinction revolves around the potential benefits and challenges of bringing back extinct species, with proponents like Lamm advocating for the use of technology to reverse the damage caused by human intervention.
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