The Ambitious Quest for De-Extinction

A US biotechnology firm, Colossal, is undertaking an ambitious and controversial project to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger. The goal is to reconstruct their DNA to create a genetically engineered organism with some of their characteristics, though this process does not exactly replicate the original species. With over $400 million in funding, Colossal aims to use synthetic biology and genetic engineering not just for de-extinction but also for the development of new technologies that can aid in conservation efforts. These innovations can lead to breakthroughs in various fields, including disease treatment and environmental conservation, thus shifting conservation funding towards technology development to combat biodiversity loss at an accelerated pace.