**Published** March 6, 2025 2:00pm
Courtesy: Reuters
Scientists in the United States are trying to bring back the extinct woolly mammoth—and they believe they've had a breakthrough.
Based in Texas, Colossal Biosciences has managed to create “woolly mice.''
They just look like normal mice with long hair—but CEO Ben Lamm explains that they’re not.
“We actually engineered mouse-equivalent mammoth genes that we've identified on our quest to bring back the mammoth into mice in a healthy way and produced what we believe is cold-tolerant, woolly, phenotype-driven mice,'' Lamm said.
Colossal Biosciences says it’s the world’s first de-extinction and species preservation company.
“Colossal is probably most notably known for the mammoth because it's one of our flagship projects. But one of our other two flagship products is the Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, as well as the dodo birds. We have two mammals and one bird species that we're working on,'' Lamm said.
Lamm said the Earth could lose up to 50% of all biodiversity between now and 2050 if no action is taken.
And the bioengineering company is aiming to invent new technologies to help save and bring back species.
With these woolly mice being a first step.
“We birthed 38 mice, and they were all, you know, edited and happy and healthy, and there weren't any unintended consequences besides the fact that they were massively adorable,'' Lamm said. — **Reuters**