Revolutionary Gene Editing Sparks Hope as Scientists Create Woolly Mice to Revive Woolly Mammoths

"Gene Editing Creates Woolly Mice, Sparking Hope for Woolly Mammoth Revival"

Scientists at Colossal Biosciences are genetically modifying Asian elephants to revive woolly mammoths, having created cold-tolerant mice as a validation point.

Dr. Emma Lee4 hours agoLast Update : 4 hours ago

Scientists aiming to bring back woolly mammoth create woolly mice | Gene editing

www.theguardian.com

Scientists are on a fascinating journey to revive the woolly mammoth, with exciting developments in genetic engineering. On March 4, 2025, researchers announced the creation of a new species: the woolly mouse. But how close are we really to bringing back these ancient giants?

6 Key Takeaways

Scientists create genetically modified woolly mice.
Colossal Biosciences aims to revive mammoths.
Research focuses on cold tolerance traits.
Gene editing shows varying efficiency results.
Experts question practicality of de-extinction efforts.
Mammoth-like traits require extensive genetic understanding.

Fast Answer: A US biotech company has created genetically modified mice with woolly traits as part of their plan to revive woolly mammoths. The first mammoth-like calf could be born by 2028, but challenges remain in ensuring these animals behave like their prehistoric ancestors.

Woolly Mammoth Revival: What’s Happening in Genetic Engineering?

Are we witnessing the dawn of a new era in de-extinction? Scientists at Colossal Biosciences are making strides in their ambitious plan to genetically modify Asian elephants to possess woolly mammoth traits. This groundbreaking research has sparked intrigue and debate about the future of these majestic creatures.

Success! The creation of woolly mice is a significant step towards understanding how to bring back the woolly mammoth. This research could have implications for biodiversity and conservation efforts in the US.

How Are Scientists Creating Woolly Mice?

The team at Colossal is using advanced genome editing techniques to modify mouse genes. This innovative approach aims to replicate traits seen in woolly mammoths, such as cold tolerance and woolly hair. Here’s what they did:

Modified genes linked to hair type and texture.
Injected edited cells into mouse embryos.
Focused on traits like golden hair and fat metabolism.
Achieved various combinations of woolly traits in offspring.

The Challenges of De-Extinction: More Than Just Genes

While the creation of woolly mice is impressive, the journey to revive woolly mammoths is complex. Experts caution that altering a few genes may not be enough to recreate the full mammoth experience. Behavioral traits and ecological roles must also be considered. Will these modified elephants truly mimic their ancestors?

What’s Next for Woolly Mammoth Research?

As the research progresses, scientists plan to conduct behavioral tests to assess cold tolerance in the modified mice. This step is crucial for understanding how these traits might translate to larger animals like elephants. The future of woolly mammoth revival remains uncertain, but the excitement surrounding these developments continues to grow.