from its closest living relative, the Asian elephant, and editing those genes into a living animal model. The woolly mouse is just the first step in this process, meant to prove that Colossal’s gene-editing technology works. The next and most crucial step will be to edit the genes into an Asian elephant embryo, creating an animal that is, for all intents and purposes, a mammoth. Lamm estimates that this could happen within the next seven years. The company plans to use these animals to repopulate the Arctic, where the mammoth once thrived, and help combat climate change by transforming the tundra into a vast, carbon-sequestering grassland.
The idea of bringing back extinct species through genetic engineering has been around for decades, but it’s only recently that the technology has caught up to the ambition. CRISPR, a revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows scientists to make precise changes to an organism’s DNA, has opened up new possibilities for de-extinction projects. Colossal’s work with the woolly mouse is just one example of how this technology can be used to resurrect long-gone species and potentially undo some of the damage caused by human activities. However, the ethical implications of de-extinction are far from settled. Some critics argue that bringing back extinct species could disrupt ecosystems and lead to unintended consequences, while others see it as a way to undo past mistakes and preserve biodiversity in the face of ongoing mass extinctions.
Colossal’s work with the woolly mouse is just the beginning of what could be a new era in conservation biology. By bringing back the mammoth, the company hopes to not only restore a lost species but also help mitigate the effects of climate change. The Arctic tundra, once covered in grasslands grazed by mammoths, has been transformed by human activities into a landscape of melting permafrost and rising temperatures. By reintroducing mammoths to the region, Colossal aims to restore the ecosystem to its former glory and help lock away carbon in the soil, reducing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet. This ambitious plan has the potential to revolutionize how we think about conservation and restoration efforts in the face of a changing climate.
As Colossal continues its work on de-extincting the mammoth, the company faces numerous challenges, both scientific and ethical. The process of editing genes in living animals is still experimental and fraught with uncertainties, and the potential risks and unintended consequences of bringing back extinct species are not fully understood. Additionally, the idea of playing “deus ex machina” with the natural world raises important questions about our responsibility to the planet and the creatures that inhabit it. Despite these challenges, Colossal remains optimistic about the future of de-extinction and the potential benefits it could bring to both humans and the environment. By harnessing the power of genetic engineering, the company hopes to turn back the clock on extinction and create a more sustainable future for all living beings on Earth.
