The concept of bringing extinct animals back to life has long captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike. Several high-profile projects are underway, each with its unique challenges and potential benefits. Here's a look at some key de-extinction efforts:
Dire Wolves: Colossal Biosciences aims to recreate the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) by using genetic material from gray wolves. The resulting animal is a genetically reinterpreted version, not a true resurrection of the extinct species.
Woolly Mammoths: Scientists are working to bring back the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) by using CRISPR gene-editing technology. The goal is to create an animal that can help compact the Siberian tundra, preventing permafrost from thawing.
Tasmanian Tigers: Efforts are underway to resurrect the Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) through genetic sequencing. Scientists aim to edit stem cells and create a genetically modified cell that can be implanted into a surrogate marsupial.
Woolly Mouse: Colossal Biosciences also created a woolly mouse by modifying its genome with mutations inspired by mammoth research. This experiment has sparked debate about the true potential of de-extinction efforts.
While these projects hold promise, experts caution that recreating extinct species is complex. Sharing genes with an extinct species does not make the new animal equivalent to the original.