In 1993, Jurassic Park captivated audiences with its thrilling yet cautionary tale of dinosaurs wreaking havoc after being resurrected from fossilized DNA. At the time, the idea of bringing back extinct creatures seemed like pure science fiction. Surely, a Tyrannosaurus rex couldn’t be resurrected millions of years after its extinction—could it?
Fast forward to today, and while dinosaurs remain firmly in the past, a U.S. company called Colossal Biosciences is making waves with its ambitious plans to bring back three recently extinct species: the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger).
The Science Behind De-Extinction
The driving force behind this ambitious project is Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company specializing in genetic engineering. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, scientists aim to reconstruct the DNA of extinct animals and implant their genetic material into living relatives.
For the woolly mammoth, researchers are using DNA from well-preserved specimens found in Arctic permafrost, combining it with the genome of its closest living relative, the Asian elephant. The goal is to create a cold-resistant elephant-mammoth hybrid capable of thriving in the tundra.
For the dodo, scientists are leveraging the DNA of the Nicobar pigeon, its closest living relative, to reconstruct the bird’s genetic makeup. By using advanced reproductive techniques, they hope to hatch dodo-like chicks in the coming years.
Why Bring Back Extinct Animals?
Beyond the sheer excitement of reviving ancient creatures, de-extinction has several scientific and ecological benefits:
- Restoring Ecosystems: Woolly mammoths once played a crucial role in maintaining the Arctic permafrost by trampling down snow and promoting grass growth. Their return could help slow climate change by preventing the release of carbon trapped in the soil.
- Biodiversity and Conservation: Learning to resurrect extinct species could provide insights into saving endangered animals today.
- Scientific Advancements: Pushing the limits of genetic engineering can lead to breakthroughs in medicine, genetics, and conservation biology.
Ethical and Practical Concerns
Despite the excitement, the project raises significant ethical and logistical questions.
- Habitat and Survival: The environment that supported woolly mammoths and dodos has changed drastically. Would these animals be able to survive in today’s world?
- Playing God: Should humans bring back species that nature has phased out? Some argue that conservation efforts should focus on protecting currently endangered species rather than reviving extinct ones.
- Cost and Feasibility: A $10 billion budget is enormous. Could this funding be better spent on preserving existing wildlife?
With rapid advancements in genetic engineering, the question is no longer if de-extinction is possible—but when. Colossal’s work has the potential to reshape conservation, genetics, and even healthcare.
Would you want to see a woolly mammoth or a dodo in real life? If Colossal Biosciences succeeds, that might soon be a reality.
