Colossal Biosciences Advances De-Extinction Efforts With Woolly Mice Breakthrough
The biotechnology company aims to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth, but ethical, ecological, and practical challenges remain significant.
- Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered 'woolly mice' with traits resembling those of woolly mammoths, marking a significant milestone in de-extinction research.
- The company plans to use CRISPR technology to edit Asian elephant DNA and create mammoth-like hybrids, though experts highlight numerous technical and ethical hurdles.
- Supporters argue that de-extinction could aid conservation and combat climate change, while critics warn it may divert resources from preserving existing species and ecosystems.
- Reintroducing species like the woolly mammoth poses ecological risks, as modern habitats differ significantly from those in which these animals originally thrived.
- Despite progress, scientists acknowledge the complexity of scaling genetic modifications and ensuring the welfare of de-extinct animals in unfamiliar environments.
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Fast Company 