Short Wave Reviving The Woolly Mammoth ... With Mice
8 snips
Mar 4, 2025 Rob Stein, a reporter from NPR specializing in health and science, dives into the fascinating world of genetic engineering. He discusses how Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences is creating woolly mice, which serve as a stepping stone to potentially reviving the woolly mammoth. The conversation explores the innovative techniques used, the ethical dilemmas of de-extinction, and how such efforts could aid in ecological restoration. Stein raises crucial questions about the balance between reviving extinct species and conserving those currently at risk.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Woolly Mice
- Colossal Biosciences created woolly mice, genetically modified to resemble woolly mammoths.
- These mice are a key step in Colossal's controversial de-extinction project.
Why Mice?
- Colossal wants to revive mammoth traits in Asian elephants using genetic engineering.
- Mice are used for rapid testing due to ethical concerns and the long gestation of elephants.
Successful Modifications
- Genetic modifications in mice resulted in longer, wavier, and golden-blonde coats, resembling mammoths.
- The modifications validated Colossal's approach to de-extinction.