Abdelrahman
A biotechnology company claims it has the capability to resurrect the woolly mammoth, which has been extinct for 4,000 years. They have recently secured $200 million (£160 million) in funding.
Ben Lamm, the founder of Colossal Biosciences, is dedicated to the quest of reversing extinction. He stated, “I have faith that we will have a living woolly mammoth by late 2028. We have sufficient funds to accomplish this.”
This latest funding round was spearheaded by billionaire Mark Walter, a co-owner of Chelsea Football Club, alongside Thomas Tull, known for producing the Jurassic World franchise.
Lamm clarified that Colossal doesn’t aim to recreate dinosaurs like in Jurassic Park, which he argues is not feasible due to the absence of viable DNA samples. However, efforts are underway to bring back the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo.
The woolly mammoth is on track to make a comeback in just a few years
In the Jurassic Park films, scientists used preserved DNA samples, combining them with the genes of related species. Colossal’s approach is to identify the closest living relative of the extinct species and modify its genome with insights from preserved specimens.
Lamm is optimistic about the ecological impact of these advancements, suggesting that such technology could aid in the conservation of endangered species and contribute to advancements in healthcare for both humans and animals through novel vaccines and artificial wombs.
The American entrepreneur gained wealth by creating Hypergiant, an artificial intelligence software firm. Other notable backers of Colossal, which started operations in 2021, include celebrity figures like Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth, as well as the CIA’s investment branch, IQT.
While the revival of the woolly mammoth is expected within three years, Lamm revealed that progress on the Tasmanian tiger project is ahead of schedule by two years.
“I believe we can achieve this within the next six to seven years,” he mentioned. Although developments regarding the dodo are progressing more slowly, substantial genetic engineering has already been completed by modifying the DNA of chickens.
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