Colossal Biosciences, a start-up aiming to use gene-editing technology to revive extinct species, has recently achieved significant milestones. They successfully generated stem cells for the Asian elephant, the closest living relative of the woolly mammoth, and published photos of genetically modified mice with long, mammoth-like coats.
The company’s founders believe that reviving mammoths can help combat climate change by restoring Arctic grassland ecosystems. However, experts are questioning the scientific validity and conservation efforts behind this plan. While Colossal claims that resurrected mammoths will scrape away layers of snow, allowing cold air to reach the soil, critics argue that this is a misguided approach.
The company’s true intentions remain unclear, with some speculating that it’s about creating creatures for human spectacle rather than addressing real conservation concerns. The valuation of Colossal has reached $10 billion, but the broader effort to de-extinct the mammoth raises questions about the potential costs and opportunity costs to human and animal life.
Colossal’s plan to bring back the woolly mammoth is a complex issue that warrants further debate and scrutiny. While technical advances have been made, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will ultimately benefit conservation efforts or prioritize human entertainment.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/04/editorial-mammoth-de-extinction-is-bad-conservation