De-extinction Race: Inside Colossal Biosciences’ Bid to Revive Mammoths & More

The pursuit of de-extinction took a visible step forward this month with the opening of Colossal Biosciences’ new 55,000-square-foot laboratory in Dallas, Texas. The company, founded on the ambitious goal of resurrecting extinct species like the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, and dodo bird, is generating both excitement and scrutiny within the scientific community and beyond. Whereas the idea of bringing back long-lost creatures evokes images from science fiction, Colossal is focused on applying cutting-edge technologies – gene editing, cloning, and artificial intelligence – to what they believe is a feasible, and potentially beneficial, undertaking.

The new facility, described as a starkly modern space, houses a team of 260 scientists working across a range of disciplines. The company’s approach centers on analyzing ancient DNA, identifying the genes that made these animals unique, and then using gene-editing techniques to introduce those traits into the genomes of their closest living relatives. For the woolly mammoth, that means working with Asian elephants. Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, explains that the process involves pinpointing the specific genetic variants responsible for mammoth characteristics, like their shaggy coats and subcutaneous fat, and then carefully editing those into the elephant genome.

A Step-by-Step Approach: From Ancient DNA to Living Animals

The process begins with the painstaking extraction of ancient DNA from well-preserved mammoth remains recovered from the Siberian permafrost. Scientists, like Shapiro, carefully saw into mammoth tusk samples to access the genetic material within. “You can see this is incredibly well-preserved,” Shapiro noted, demonstrating the process. “But this clean part underneath — this looks like it’s fresh, right? It does have DNA preserved in it.” This DNA is then compared to the genome of the Asian elephant to identify the key differences.

Colossal’s scientists are then using CRISPR gene-editing technology to make precise changes to the elephant genome, aiming to recreate the genetic makeup of a mammoth. The resulting modified cells are then used to create cloned embryos, which would ideally be carried to term by a surrogate Asian elephant mother. The company anticipates the birth of the first mammoth calf within approximately two years, though this timeline remains subject to significant scientific and logistical challenges.

Before the mammoth, however, Colossal has been making strides with smaller models. The company recently unveiled its “woolly mice,” genetically engineered to possess the same thick, insulating coats as their extinct ancestors. These mice serve as a proof-of-concept, demonstrating that the genes identified as responsible for the woolly coat trait can indeed be successfully introduced and expressed in another species.

Another project gaining attention is the recreation of the dire wolf, a species that roamed North America until around 13,000 years ago. Colossal has produced pups with traits reminiscent of the dire wolf, though critics point out that these animals are genetically modified gray wolves, rather than true recreations of the extinct species.

Ethical Considerations and Scientific Debate

The work being done at Colossal isn’t without its critics. Concerns range from the ethical implications of bringing back extinct species to the scientific feasibility of the endeavor. Some scientists, like Nic Rawlence, a paleogeneticist at the University of Otago in New Zealand, question whether de-extinction is even possible, arguing that the complexities of an organism extend far beyond its genetic code. “Just as it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it isn’t actually going to be a duck,” Rawlence stated.

Ethical concerns center around the potential for suffering of resurrected animals, particularly if their natural habitats have drastically changed or if they lack the social structures and learned behaviors necessary for survival. There are also worries that de-extinction efforts could divert resources away from crucial conservation efforts aimed at protecting currently endangered species. Some argue that the focus should remain on preserving the biodiversity we still have, rather than attempting to recreate what has been lost.

the potential ecological consequences of reintroducing extinct species into modern ecosystems are largely unknown. It’s unclear how these animals would interact with existing species, or whether they could disrupt delicate ecological balances.

Beyond De-Extinction: Conservation and Biotechnology

Colossal argues that the technologies developed for de-extinction have broader applications for conservation. The company believes that the genetic sequencing, gene-editing, and reproductive technologies they are pioneering can be used to enhance the genetic diversity of endangered populations, improve their resilience to disease, and even protect them from the effects of climate change.

To that end, Colossal has established the Colossal Foundation to support conservation initiatives and has announced plans to create a global “biovault” in the United Arab Emirates to preserve the genetic material of thousands of species. The UAE is also an investor in Colossal, highlighting the growing interest in de-extinction and conservation technologies globally.

The company has also spun off two additional companies: Breaking, Inc., focused on developing microbes to break down plastics, and Form Bio Inc., which licenses genetic analysis software. This diversification suggests Colossal envisions a future where the technologies developed for de-extinction contribute to a wider range of biotechnological advancements.

Despite the criticisms, Colossal’s co-founder and CEO, Ben Lamm, remains optimistic. He believes that technology holds the key to addressing the biodiversity crisis and that attempting to restore lost species is not only ethically justifiable but also a moral imperative. “It’s unethical not to do this. It’s immoral not to do this,” Lamm stated. “Because I personally believe that only technology and synthetic biology has any hope of saving us.”

The work at Colossal represents a bold, and controversial, step into the future of conservation. Whether it will ultimately succeed in bringing back extinct species remains to be seen, but the technologies and insights gained along the way could have a profound impact on our ability to protect and preserve the planet’s biodiversity.