Scientists Create ‘Woolly Mice’ in Bold Step Toward Reviving Mammoths

Dallas, TX — In a groundbreaking announcement, scientists at Colossal Biosciences have engineered mice that exhibit key traits of the woolly mammoth, marking a significant milestone in their efforts to resurrect the extinct species. The creation of these ‘woolly mice’ is viewed as an important initial step toward potentially bringing the giant creatures back to life.

Dr. Beth Shapiro, chief science officer at Colossal, expressed enthusiasm about the development during a news release on Tuesday. ‘For us, it’s an incredibly big deal,’ Shapiro stated, underscoring the project’s potential impact not just on mammoths but on conservation efforts in general.

The research team, based in Dallas, made headlines after successfully implanting modified embryos into female laboratory mice, resulting in the birth of the first woolly pups last October. These mice possess long, wavy, golden fur akin to that of mammoths, along with a metabolism suited for cold climates. ‘We ended up with some absolutely adorable mice that have longer, woolly, golden-colored coats,’ Shapiro noted in an interview with NPR.

Colossal aims to accelerate its de-extinction ambitions by potentially producing mammoth-like Asian elephant embryos by 2026 and seeing the first calves born by 2028. The ambitious initiative follows years of research into the genetic differences between woolly mammoths and their closest living relatives, the Asian and African elephants.

In their quest to identify traits that allowed woolly mammoths to thrive in frigid environments, researchers compared ancient mammoth DNA to that of elephants. The team focused on genes responsible for features like long hair and fat metabolism, essential for surviving harsh Arctic conditions. Shapiro described their approach as ‘a proof-of-principle’ that demonstrates their capacity to recreate complex traits using genetic engineering.

Despite the excitement surrounding the woolly mouse’s development, skepticism exists among some experts about the environmental implications of reintroducing mammoth-like creatures. Critics, including experts from areas of wildlife conservation, caution against the potential risks of such an endeavor. Tori Herridge, a senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield, pointed out that engineering a mammoth-like elephant is significantly more complex than creating modified mice.

Alongside the enthusiasm, some scientists argue that the funds invested in de-extinction should prioritize immediate conservation efforts for species currently on the brink of extinction. ‘The focus on de-extinction or genome-modified organisms as a conservation tool I believe is a distraction from the work that needs to be done to conserve species,’ said one wildlife scientist.

Colossal’s CEO, Ben Lamm, emphasized the potential ecological benefits of reviving woolly mammoths, suggesting that their presence could help restore ecosystems that have deteriorated since their extinction. ‘These extinct species played really important roles in ecosystems that are missing because they’ve become extinct,’ he said.

The company has already garnered considerable investment, raising $435 million since its founding in 2021. Beyond the woolly mammoth project, Colossal is also exploring the revival of other extinct species, such as the dodo and Tasmanian tiger, showcasing their wider ambitions in the field of de-extinction.

As scientists continue to study these newly created woolly mice, the focus will shift to understanding whether the genetic modifications grant them true cold tolerance, which remains a critical factor in evaluating the potential success of this revolutionary project.