Making Sense with Sam Harris #394 — Bringing Back the Mammoth
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Dec 3, 2024 
In this enlightening discussion, Sam Harris talks with Ben Lamm, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, focusing on the ambitious goal of de-extincting species like the woolly mammoth. Lamm explains the innovative use of AI and CRISPR technology in his company's efforts and contrasts these with the fictional portrayal in Jurassic Park. They delve into the potential ecological benefits of bringing back these species, the ethical implications, and how this work could impact human health and biodiversity.
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Colossal's Origin
- Ben Lamm's interest in de-extinction started after a conversation with George Church.
- Church's lifelong dream was to bring back woolly mammoths and improve human health and species preservation.
Colossal's Mission
- Colossal Biosciences aims to develop de-extinction tools and apply them to conservation efforts.
- The company also focuses on human healthcare applications of these technologies.
Colossal vs. Jurassic Park
- Colossal's approach differs from Jurassic Park by using the closest living relative's DNA as a basis.
- They identify key genetic differences to engineer traits, rather than filling in gaps with unrelated DNA.