Moonshots with Peter Diamandis Why This Billionaire Is Bringing Back the Dire Wolf, Woolly Mammoth & More w/ Ben Lamm & Salim Ismail | EP #165
70 snips
Apr 17, 2025 
Ben Lamm, co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, and Salim Ismail, tech strategist and founder of Singularity University, dive into the groundbreaking efforts to resurrect extinct species like the dire wolf and woolly mammoth. They discuss the cutting-edge gene-editing technologies driving this movement and the fascinating implications for biodiversity. The duo also explores the ethical considerations, public perceptions, and practical challenges of de-extinction. Expect insights on the future of bioengineering and innovative conservation strategies!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dire Wolf De-Extinction Breakthrough
- Colossal used DNA from 72,000 and 13,000 years ago to build a near-complete genome of the dire wolf.
- They engineered lost dire wolf genes into gray wolf cells and successfully cloned healthy pups exhibiting dire wolf traits.
Moonshot Persistence and Teamwork
- Pursue moonshots with persistence longer than time and build a strong, trusted team.
- Empower specialists and prepare for skepticism and challenges as success increases.
Challenges in Ancient DNA Sequencing
- Ancient DNA degrades rapidly, requiring cold, dry conditions for preservation.
- Achieving higher sequencing coverage improves confidence in correctly identifying each genetic base.