Jurassic Park Meets Reality: Woolly Mammoths Set for 2028 Comeback
In a development that seems plucked from the pages of science fiction, Colossal Biosciences, a cutting-edge biotechnology company, has announced plans to resurrect the woolly mammoth by 2028. This ambitious project, backed by high-profile investors including Chris Hemsworth and Paris Hilton, aims to breathe new life into species long thought lost to time.
The world’s first de-extinction company
Colossal Biosciences, self-proclaimed as “the world’s first de-extinction company,” is at the forefront of a scientific revolution. Their groundbreaking approach involves reviving “core” genes from extinct animals, with projects extending beyond the woolly mammoth to include the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger.
Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, confidently stated to The Independent:
“We have set a date of late 2028 for our first mammoth and we are on track for that currently, which is great.”
A star-studded venture
The company’s innovative vision has attracted substantial financial backing, with The Intercept reporting over $235 million raised. Notable investors include:
- Chris Hemsworth
- Paris Hilton
- Peter Thiel (PayPal co-founder)
- Tony Robbins (motivational speaker)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Beyond mammoths: A de-extinction pipeline
While the woolly mammoth project garners significant attention, Colossal Biosciences has its sights set on multiple extinct species:
- Tasmanian Tiger: Extinct since the 1980s, potentially revivable in weeks
- Dodo Bird: Last seen in the 1600s, estimated one-month revival process
- Woolly Mammoth: Extinct for over 4,000 years, 22-month gestation period
Lamm optimistically predicts, “It is highly likely we will have a species before 2028,” referring to one of these three candidates.
The science behind de-extinction
The woolly mammoth project leverages the creature’s close genetic relationship with the Asian elephant, sharing 99.5% of its genes. Colossal Biosciences’ approach involves:
- Gene editing techniques
- Fusion of stem cells with Asian elephant eggs
The result, as described on the company’s website, will be “more specifically a cold-resistant elephant with all of the core biological traits of the woolly mammoth.”
Lamm elaborates: “It will walk like a woolly mammoth, look like one, sound like one.”
Environmental implications
Beyond the scientific marvel, Colossal Biosciences claims that resurrecting the woolly mammoth could have significant environmental benefits:
- Potential to reverse global warming
- Protection of Arctic permafrost
Ethical and practical considerations
As this “reverse Jurassic Park” scenario unfolds, it raises important questions about the ethics of de-extinction and the potential ecological impact of reintroducing long-extinct species. Scientists and ethicists continue to debate the implications of such groundbreaking work.
As the 2028 target date approaches, the world watches with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Will Colossal Biosciences succeed in turning this scientific dream into reality? Only time will tell if the thunderous footsteps of woolly mammoths will once again echo across the Earth’s landscape.
