A man aiming to resurrect the woolly mammoth says there’s a strong chance these ancient creatures will return by 2028. The woolly mammoth hasn’t been seen on Earth for 4,000 years, with their extinction still a topic of debate. While some argue humans hunted them to extinction, others believe they couldn’t adapt to the planet’s warming climate.
Regardless of the cause, one man is confident he can bring these giants back. Ben Lamm, the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, leads a biotechnology firm dedicated to ‘de-extinction’ efforts.
The plan involves using Asian elephants as surrogates for mammoth embryos created with replicated genes from their closest living relatives. Lamm is optimistic, stating the team is ‘on track for the mammoth for late 2028’.
His ambitions don’t stop there; he aims to establish a new herd of mammoths. He explains the importance of genetic diversity to avoid producing mere clones. The goal is to reintroduce these animals into their natural habitats with enough genetic variation to sustain themselves without human intervention.
Lamm acknowledges concerns about the current climate being too warm for mammoths. However, he argues this is a misconception. He points out that during the last Ice Age, there were warmer interglacial periods, and mammoths thrived in various climates, including warmer areas.
Colossal Biosciences employs 145 scientists, with 17 specifically focused on developing artificial wombs to bring back extinct species. After reviving the mammoth, Lamm plans to resurrect the dodo bird and the Tasmanian tiger.
Lamm believes humanity has a moral duty to save endangered species. He argues that human actions, such as deforestation and hunting, have driven many species to extinction. He asserts that leveraging technology to reverse this damage and halt the extinction crisis is crucial. Failure to act could result in the loss of up to 50 percent of biodiversity by 2050, a prospect Lamm finds alarming.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Euronews Green explores Colossal’s de-extinction plans, focusing on the feasibility and ecological impact of genetically modifying elephants to bring back woolly mammoths by 2028.(read more)
- NBC DFW reports on Colossal Biosciences’ historic effort to de-extinct the woolly mammoth using gene editing and artificial wombs, aiming to preserve permafrost and combat climate change.(read more)
- Livescience reports that woolly mammoth de-extinction is nearing reality, but experts question the feasibility and potential environmental repercussions of reviving extinct species.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When will woolly mammoths be brought back?
Woolly mammoths are expected to be back by 2028.
How will scientists bring back the woolly mammoth?
Scientists will use Asian elephants as surrogates and replicate mammoth genes using DNA from close relatives.
Who is leading the woolly mammoth de-extinction project?
Ben Lamm, founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, is leading the project.
Will mammoths survive in today’s climate?
Lamm claims mammoths can survive today, as they lived through warmer interglacial periods in the past.
What other extinct animals does Lamm plan to revive?
Lamm plans to revive the dodo bird and the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) after mammoths.
