Colossal Biosciences delays woolly mammoth de-extinction to 2030s

Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based company, has announced that its timeline for de-extincting the woolly mammoth has been pushed back to the early 2030s. The project, which utilizes CRISPR gene-editing technology and artificial intelligence, aims to revive the prehistoric species using DNA harvested from mammoth remains found in Siberia in 2018.

The delay is due to the increased complexity of the genetic engineering required. While researchers initially believed they could transform an elephant nucleus into a mammoth nucleus by editing approximately 60 genes, they now estimate that more than 150 genes must be edited.

In related research, the company has successfully used mammoth genetic coding for shaggy hair to produce a family of 38 woolly mice. CEO Ben Lamm stated that while there is no specific date, the company is targeting the early 2030s for the project's realization.