The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad De-Extinction of the Dire Wolf! Modern Day Jurassic Park? (The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad_832)
May 5, 2025
Join Dr. Beth Shapiro, a UC Santa Cruz professor and expert in ancient DNA, along with Matt James, Chief Animal Officer at Colossal Biosciences, as they dive into the thrilling realm of de-extinction. They discuss the ambitious projects aimed at reviving the woolly mammoth and the dire wolf, exploring the cutting-edge technologies that make this possible. Ethical dilemmas, ecological impacts, and the interplay between ancient species and modern ecosystems are all on the table as they navigate the fascinating and complex journey of bringing extinct species back to life.
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Colossal's De-Extinction Mission
- Colossal Labs combines genetic engineering, genome sequencing, and reproductive sciences to de-extinct and preserve species.
- They apply these technologies to species like woolly mammoths, thylacines, dodos, dire wolves, and endangered living species.
Innovative Cloning from Blood Cells
- Cloning endothelial progenitor cells from blood is a novel, robust method pioneered by Colossal for cloning animals.
- These cells are less differentiated, easier to culture, and can be banked for decades for conservation use.
Functional De-Extinction Strategy
- Focus on functional de-extinction by restoring animals that fill ecological roles suitable for today’s environment.
- Avoid fully replicating extinct genomes to prevent mismatch with current pathogens and habitats.
