Imagine a world where you could see a woolly mammoth, a dodo, or even a Tasmanian tiger walking around again. It might sound like science fiction, but thanks to modern science and a bit of star power, this could soon become a reality. Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company in Texas, is working hard to bring these extinct species back to life using gene-editing technology.
So, how does this work? Scientists at Colossal are trying to figure out the important genes that make these extinct animals unique. They use DNA from their closest living relatives. For example, the Asian elephant shares 99.5% of its genes with the woolly mammoth, making it a good candidate for this scientific experiment. The dodo’s closest relative is the Nicobar pigeon, and the Tasmanian tiger is related to the fat-tailed dunnart.
Now, here’s where it gets even more interesting. Chris Hemsworth, the actor best known for playing Thor in the Marvel movies, and Paris Hilton, the famous socialite and DJ, are backing this project. They’ve helped Colossal raise $235 million to support the work. Chris and Paris are not just adding their names to the project; their involvement brings attention and excitement to this scientific mission.
The goal is to see these animals back in action by 2028. While the woolly mammoth might take a bit longer due to its 22-month gestation period, the dodo and Tasmanian tiger could return even sooner since they have much shorter gestation periods.
