A GIANT bear which has been extinct for 11,000 years and a 5ft tall beaver could be resurrected by scientists that has been busy trying to bring back the Dodo.
De-extinction experts have compiled a “very long list” of animals they hope to bring back to the modern world.
A 3D illustration of what an arctodus from the Pleistocene era could look like. Credit: Getty
A biotech company bankrolled by celebrities plans to resurrect the long-extinct woolly mammoth within four years. Credit: The Mega Agency
A reconstruction of an extinct Dodo bird. Credit: Getty
Dr Beth Shapiro and Co-founder and CEO of Colossal Ben Lamm
Amongst the hopeful creatures the company has set its hopes on bringing back Arctodus, an extinct mammal that was thought to be the largest ever land-dwelling species to inhabit North America. At 14ft high, the furry herbivore would stand as tall as a human male, whilst on its four legs.
Those frightened of existing rodents might not be too pleased to hear that the giant beaver has also been listed as a hopeful to return. Some 10,000 years ago Casoroides went extinct, with recovered skeletons suggesting the animals had six-inch teeth and could swim underwater.
To non-scientists and the general public, the notion of de-extinction may seem completely foreign and faintly like the plot of a blockbuster. However, Colossal have been working on the project for the past three years and have since announced that the woolly mammoth could be brought back via artificial womb by 2028.
It comes as the CEO of the landmark gene-editing company told The Sun that this may not be the first species to be born by that year.
In a recent interview Ben Lamm said: “I don’t believe the mammoth will be the first species. You know, it’s 22 months of gestation (incubation). Thanks to the team at Colossal Biosciences, the woolly mammoth species could be preceded by the dodo which they hope could then be released to its natural habitat.
The proxy bird could see the phrase “dead as a dodo” go extinct in a tremendous and painstaking genome sequencing from real specimens.
Colossal Biosciences have produced artist’s impression of Tasmanian tigers to allow others to imagine what the future could look like. Credit: PA
The Woolly Mammoth is expected to be one of the first to be brought back but it is part of a very long list. Credit: Colossal Biosciences
Finding a close relative to the dodo could be all it takes to create a full set of genetic ingredients to bring about a new version of the flightless creature.
Previously, there has been dispute over when the dodo went extinct but they were known to be easy to catch, often living together in small wooded island areas.
The company has already spoken out to dispute anyone hoping to hunt the animals, suggesting they would work with Governments globally to prohibit history repeating itself.
How is it done?
While these animals are expected to visually resemble the extinct species they’re modelled on, they will be genetically engineered versions.
For example, scientists hope to edit gene cells taken from a well-preserved woolly mammoth that was found frozen.
They will then combine those genes with the genes of an Asian elephant, the woolly mammoth’s closest living relative.
Scientists will also isolate the cold-resistant traits of a woolly mammoth, such as its thick hair, to insert into the Asian elephants genome.
Essentially, Colossal will create a cold-resistant version of the Asian elephant to exist in the Arctic Tundra.
Similar techniques will be used for the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo.
Conclusion
De-extinction technology has the potential to bring back many species that were thought to be lost forever. With the help of genetic engineering and artificial wombs, scientists are closer than ever to reviving the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, and the dodo. While there are many challenges to overcome, the benefits of de-extinction could be immense.
FAQs
- What is de-extinction?
- De-extinction is the process of bringing back extinct species through genetic engineering and artificial wombs.
- How long will it take to revive the woolly mammoth?
- Colossal Biosciences hopes to revive the woolly mammoth within four years using artificial wombs.
- Will the revived animals be the same as the originals?
- No, the revived animals will be genetically engineered versions of the originals.
- Will the revived animals be able to live in the wild?
- Yes, the revived animals will be designed to live in their natural habitats.