The Dodo's Return? Inside Colossal Biosciences' Ambitious De-Extinction Quest

Imagine a world where the extinct walk among us once more. While still the realm of science fiction for many species, a biotech startup named Colossal Biosciences is making significant strides towards bringing back the iconic dodo. Known for its tragic disappearance centuries ago, the dodo has become a symbol of human-induced extinction.

Now, cutting-edge genetic science offers a glimmer of hope for its resurrection.

Colossal Biosciences, co-founded by tech entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church, has garnered attention for its ambitious de-extinction projects, which also include the woolly mammoth and the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger).

The dodo project, initiated in 2022 with a substantial $150 million in funding, aims to reverse the species' 17th-century demise. The company asserts it's closer than ever to achieving this incredible feat, though the scientific community remains cautiously optimistic.

The journey to de-extinction is complex and fraught with challenges.

The first critical step involves sequencing the dodo's genome. Researchers have successfully extracted and analyzed DNA from dodo remains, including fragments from the Natural History Museum of Denmark, allowing them to map out a substantial portion of the bird's genetic code. This blueprint is essential for understanding what made a dodo a dodo.

However, simply having the genome isn't enough.

Scientists must then use advanced gene-editing techniques, primarily CRISPR, to modify the DNA of a closely related living species. For the dodo, the Nicobar pigeon has been identified as the ideal surrogate. This vibrant, iridescent bird shares a common ancestor with the dodo, making it genetically suitable for carrying and potentially giving birth to a dodo-like embryo.

The goal is to insert dodo-specific genes into the pigeon's genome, gradually transforming it into a viable dodo embryo.

The hurdles are immense. Reconstructing a complete and functional dodo genome from ancient, degraded DNA is a monumental task. Even if a viable embryo is created, the process of gestation and birth through a surrogate pigeon is unprecedented.

Beyond the biological challenges, there are significant ecological and ethical considerations. Where would these resurrected dodos live? The natural habitat of Mauritius has changed dramatically since the dodo's extinction, raising questions about whether a suitable ecosystem still exists or could be recreated to support the species.

Despite these daunting obstacles, Colossal Biosciences remains committed.

The company argues that de-extinction technologies are not just about bringing back individual species but also about advancing conservation science, restoring ecosystems, and developing new tools that could aid existing endangered species. They envision a future where these techniques could help reintroduce keystone species that have been lost, thereby revitalizing entire environments.

While the actual sight of a dodo roaming Mauritius may still be decades away, the work being done by Colossal Biosciences represents a thrilling frontier in genetic engineering and conservation.

It pushes the boundaries of what is scientifically possible, forcing us to re-evaluate our relationship with the natural world and the long-term impacts of human actions. Whether the dodo truly returns or not, the pursuit itself is undoubtedly shaping the future of biotech and our understanding of life itself.