Scientists Engineer 'Woolly Mouse' in Effort to Revive Extinct Species

Colossal Biosciences claims the genetically modified mouse is a step toward recreating the woolly mammoth, though experts remain skeptical of its feasibility and ethics.

Colossal Biosciences has announced the creation of a genetically modified 'woolly mouse,' engineered to exhibit mammoth-like traits such as thick, woolly fur.
The company claims this development is a significant step in its goal to revive the extinct woolly mammoth by 2028, though this timeline remains speculative and unconfirmed.
Using CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies, scientists targeted seven genes to replicate mammoth adaptations for cold climates, including fur texture and fat metabolism.
Experts have raised ethical and scientific concerns, questioning the practicality of de-extinction and whether such efforts divert resources from conserving endangered species.
Critics argue that while the woolly mouse demonstrates advancements in genetic engineering, it does not address the broader ecological and behavioral traits required to recreate extinct species like the mammoth.

MIT Technology Review

BGR