Do you really know? What is de-extinction?
Aug 19, 2025
Delve into the groundbreaking concept of de-extinction, where scientists aim to revive species like the woolly mammoth. Learn about the pioneering work of George Church and his startup, which has raised millions for this ambitious goal. The discussion touches on the potential environmental impacts and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the resurrection of extinct animals. How does the scientific community view these advancements? Explore the future of wildlife through the lens of cutting-edge genetic science.
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De-Extinction Moved From Idea To Startup
- De-extinction aims to bring extinct species back by leveraging modern genetics and sequencing methods.
- George Church and Colossal pushed the idea into practical funding and development in the 2010s and 2020s.
Colossal’s $75M Funding Milestone
- Colossal announced in March 2022 that it had raised $75 million to pursue mammoth de-extinction efforts.
- That funding milestone illustrates how the idea moved from academic thought to well-backed commercial effort.
Genome Sequencing Isn’t A Perfect Resurrection
- Sequencing fragmented DNA from remains can reconstruct an extinct genome but cannot perfectly recreate the original animal.
- Scientists plan to edit a close relative's DNA (e.g., Asian elephant) to produce mammoth-like traits using CRISPR.
