Colossal's 'Woolly Mice' Bring Mammoth Revival Closer

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Scientists at Colossal Biosciences have created genetically modified "woolly mice" with thick, wavy golden coats as part of their mission to resurrect the extinct woolly mammoth.

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The experiment modified seven genes in lab mice targeting traits like hair length, texture, and fat metabolism to mimic mammoth characteristics that once enabled survival in frigid environments.

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Colossal aims to produce mammoth-like Asian elephant embryos by 2026 and their first calves by 2028, while also pursuing de-extinction of the dodo bird and Tasmanian tiger.

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Using CRISPR technology, researchers compared ancient mammoth DNA with elephant sequences, though the resulting mice showed longer fur but no apparent increase in fat reserves.

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Scientific reception has been mixed, with some experts impressed by the genetic achievement while others point out similar "fancy mice" with comparable hair traits have existed since the 1800s.

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Critics warn of potential ecological disruption, with one scientist questioning: "I don't know what the downside of having a bunch of hairy Asian elephants stomping around in the tundra might be."

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Defenders argue de-extinction technologies could benefit threatened ecosystems, though skeptics maintain resources would be better directed toward saving currently endangered species.

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Geneticist Adam Rutherford called mammoth de-extinction "scientific folly" and "morally questionable" given the 6-million-year evolutionary gap between mammoths and Asian elephants—similar to humans and chimpanzees.

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