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Published by: Jean Ashley Lugod
Date Published: April 3, 2025
Time Published: 6:41 PM
An astronomical breakthrough occurred as genetic researchers in Texas successfully engineered woolly mice as announced on March 4 by Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company specializing in de-extinction projects.
The achievement represented a notable milestone in de-extinction efforts, demonstrating the potential of genetic engineering to restore extinct species by successfully integrating mammoth traits into living mice.
By analyzing ancient DNA, scientists identified mammoth-specific genes responsible for traits such as thick fur and cold adaptation.
Dr. George Church, a lead geneticist on the project, stated, βWe successfully transferred mammoth-specific genes into mice, allowing us to observe how these traits function in a living organism.β
This process involved using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR), a gene-editing technology that splice mammoth genes into mouse embryos, resulting in a woolly mice β a genetically engineered mice that exhibit a thick brown coat of a mammoth. That can withstand winter environment for a period of time.
Colossal Biosciences aims to utilized in this success to advance their goal of resurrecting the woolly mammoth. The company plans to integrate mammoth genes into Asian elephant cells, with the objective of producing a winter proof elephant that exhibit a core biological traits of the woolly mammoth.
This venture is part of a broader mission to develop a de-extinction library of animals, housing genetic DNA and embryos from endangered species to combat population loss.
While some scientists acknowledge the achievement, others debate ethical concerns that could disrupt the existing ecosystem or whether it is better to use for endangered species.
Dr. Love DalΓ©n, a paleogeneticist, warned, βReintroducing mammoth traits into modern animals raises concerns about unforeseen genetic consequences and environmental impact.β
"I think there is a lot of technological development that can be done [and] we can learn a lot about how to edit genomes, and that could be really useful for endangered species today," he added.
Despite these challenges, Colossal Biosciences remains committed to develop their technological advancements. The company continues to improve its gene-editing techniques and explore the broader applications of its research in de-extinction and preservation.
REFERENCES:
[1] Neuman, S (2021, September 14) Scientists Say They Could Bring Back Woolly Mammoths. But Maybe They Shouldn't β NPR
[2] Davis, N (2025, March 4) Genetically modified woolly mice bring scientists closer to resurrecting the mammoth βTHE GUARDIAN
[3] GMA INTEGRATED NEWS (2025, March 6) Scientists trying to bring back woolly mammoth create woolly mice
[4] Larson, C (2025, March 7) Scientists trying to bring back the woolly mammoth end up with woolly mice β INDEPENDENT
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