In a groundbreaking effort to echo the wonders of the ancient past, scientists at Colossal Biosciences have embarked on a journey to genetically alter living animals, giving them attributes reminiscent of long-lost creatures like the woolly mammoth. These majestic beasts once roamed far and wide across the icy terrains of Europe, Asia, and North America, until they vanished roughly 4,000 years ago.
Colossal, a biotech firm, captured the public’s imagination in 2021 when they announced an audacious project to revive extinct species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo bird. Their focus since then has been on decoding the key traits of these extinct animals through vigorous analysis of ancient DNA. The ultimate aim is to infuse these traits into living animals, as explained by company CEO Ben Lamm.
Views on this novel approach vary widely among outside experts, particularly concerning its implications for conservation. Christopher Preston, a wildlife and environment specialist at the University of Montana, expressed skepticism, pointing out that this might not actually resurrect anything but is rather a modern modification.
The company made headlines again recently by revealing progress in their genetic experiments. They have successfully modified seven genes within mouse embryos, resulting in mice with long, dense, woolly fur, whimsically dubbed “Colossal woolly mouse.” This development, however, is yet to be vetted by independent researchers and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University of Buffalo not affiliated with the project, admitted the technological achievement was impressive. While genetic engineering in mice has been around since the 1970s, advancements such as CRISPR have dramatically streamlined and enhanced these processes. By analyzing mouse gene databases, Colossal pinpointed the genes influencing hair texture and fat metabolism—traits critical in the harsh, cold conditions where woolly mammoths thrived.
Testing their techniques on mice allowed Colossal to verify their methods before potentially advancing to experiments involving Asian elephants, the closest extant relatives of woolly mammoths. The endangered status of Asian elephants, however, introduces significant regulatory hurdles, acknowledged by Lamm. Despite these challenges, Colossal has secured over $400 million in funding to continue their pioneering work.
The concept of “de-extinction” is met with skepticism among some experts. Preston noted that even with genetic modification, creating a woolly mammoth will merely transform an existing species, like the Asian elephant, rather than resurrecting an extinct one.
Notwithstanding these concerns, the precision offered by refined gene-editing techniques might open doors to novel applications not only in conservation but also in animal agriculture. Bhanu Telugu from the University of Missouri, who was not involved with Colossal’s project, commented on the potential benefits of these advancements.
Furthermore, there is hope that this innovative approach could eventually contribute to combating human diseases. Colossal has already launched two healthcare companies as byproducts of their genetic research efforts, with Lamm highlighting this as part of their business strategy.
