- Scientists hoping to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction have genetically engineered the “woolly mouse.” They may be tiny, but Colossal Biosciences, the company behind the research, said they are a big step toward its goal of reviving the woolly mammoth in a few years.
- The company showcased the mice on Tuesday and published a scientific paper detailing their creation.
- Researchers said they implanted genetically modified embryos into female mice, which gave birth to the first pups in October 2024.
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Starting small to later go big, scientists hoping to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction have genetically engineered the “woolly mouse.”
Colossal Biosciences, the company behind the research, said the tiny mice are a big step toward its goal of reviving the woolly mammoth in the next few years.
The company showcased the fluffy mice on Tuesday, Mar. 4, and published a scientific paper detailing their creation.
How was the “woolly mouse” created by scientists?
Researchers said they implanted genetically modified embryos into female mice which then gave birth to the first pups in October of 2024.
Scientists used genetic engineering techniques to combine mammoth DNA and mouse DNA to successfully create mice with fat and fur similar to a mammoth, which provides insulation for the mammal to survive cold weather.
What is the company saying?
Colossal Biosciences said it is “validation” and a step toward its ultimate goal of bringing the woolly mammoth back.
As Straight Arrow News previously reported, the biotech company is also working to bring back the dodo bird, the Tasmanian tiger and other species to potentially repair ecosystems.
Are there critics of the efforts?
Opponents of de-extinction, however, warn that the environmental impacts of reintroducing long-extinct species are still unknown, and contend efforts should focus exclusively on protecting species at risk of extinction instead.
When can woolly mammoths be expected?
Colossal Biosciences said it aims to produce mammoth-like Asian elephant embryos by next year, with the first calves coming in 2028.
