US biotech company Colossal Biosciences has announced that it expects to see the first woolly mammoth calves by 2028 , marking a major milestone in “species de-extinction”. Through a combination of genetic engineering, bioinformatics and cloning, the company plans to use mammoth DNA recovered from ancient remains to create a genetically modified hybrid, combining traits of the mammoth with the Asian elephant, its closest relative.
What does the de-extinction process consist of?
Colossal’s project involves inserting key genes from the woolly mammoth into the genome of the Asian elephant, focusing on distinctive features such as its dense fur, curved tusks and ability to adapt to extreme cold. These genes are obtained from mammoth DNA samples found in Siberia and other frozen areas and reconstructed using synthetic biology techniques.
The process will also involve the use of cloning techniques , in which the hybrid embryo will be implanted in an Asian elephant mother, who will carry the pregnancy to term. According to Colossal executives, the goal is for these first offspring to be ready to inhabit Arctic areas again in the coming decades.
Ethical and scientific questions
The project has generated a lot of interest in the scientific community, but it has also sparked ethical debates. Some question the implications of genetically modifying extinct species and how it could affect modern ecosystems. There are also questions about whether such advances could eventually lead to the genetic modification of humans, something Colossal has ruled out for the moment.
Additional Colossal Projects
In addition to the woolly mammoth, Colossal is also working on resurrecting other species such as the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger, using similar technology. These extinct species played a key role in their ecosystems and the company believes that their reintroduction can help restore habitats that have been damaged by the disappearance of these creatures.
Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal, says that “de-extinction is closer than people think” and estimates that another species could be revived before the mammoth by 2028. Lamm and co-founder George Church, a pioneer in genetics, are convinced that these advances will mark the beginning of a new era in biotechnology.
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Source and internal photo: Colossal Biosciences
Main photo: shutterstock