Colossal Biosciences, a genetics start-up, has secured $150 million in funding to bring back the extinct Dodo bird using new genetic methods. However, the project still needs to address fundamental questions about cloning birds. The Dodo, a plump and flightless bird, was discovered by Dutch sailors on the island of Mauritius in the 16th century. Less than a hundred years later, the species was extinct, making it one of the most well-known animals eradicated by humans. Colossal Biosciences has previously announced plans to revive the Woolly Mammoth and the Tasmanian Tiger using genetic methods.
The basis for the planned revival of the Dodo is a scientific breakthrough achieved by a team of researchers from the University of California in Santa Cruz in April 2022. The team, led by paleontologist Beth Shapiro, sequenced the complete genome of the extinct bird and filled in gaps in the known genetic material. Colossal Biosciences founder Ben Lamm, genetics pioneer George Church from Harvard University, and Beth Shapiro are all involved in the revival project. While theoretically, the Dodo, Woolly Mammoth, and Tasmanian Tiger could be cloned relatively easily, the remaining DNA fragments are not sufficient for cloning.
To revive the Dodo, Colossal Biosciences plans to introduce genes from the extinct species into a closely related living species and manipulate its DNA. This could create the necessary genetic material for cloning through a detour. For the Woolly Mammoth, the Asian elephant will be used, whose genetic material is 99.6% identical to the extinct species. Similarly, the Dodo has close living relatives, which could be used to introduce the genes. However, the reproduction process of birds is significantly different from that of mammals, making it challenging to clone birds. Before the Dodo, which can grow up to a meter tall and weigh 15 kilograms, can be revived, Colossal Biosciences must first research how to clone birds.
In conclusion, Colossal Biosciences has secured funding to revive the extinct Dodo bird using genetic methods. However, the project still needs to address fundamental questions about cloning birds. The team plans to introduce genes from the extinct species into a closely related living species and manipulate its DNA to create the necessary genetic material for cloning. Before the Dodo can be revived, Colossal Biosciences must first research how to clone birds.
