Colossal Biosciences is now valued at over $10 billion and is working on ambitious projects to ... [+] resurrect multiple long extinct species.gettyContinuing its audacious blend of ambition and cutting-edge science, Colossal Biosciences has secured $200 million in Series C funding to accelerate its groundbreaking efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth. The company is also researching ways to bring back the Dodo and the Tasmanian Tiger.The Dallas-based biotechnology company, founded in 2021, is spearheading the nascent field of de-extinction, the process of restoring long-lost species to their natural habitats and, potentially, reshaping ecosystems.The woolly mammoth, a giant that roamed the icy expanses of the planet during the Pleistocene epoch, became extinct around 4,000 years ago and is at the center of Colossals mission.Its a mission that is less a nostalgic yearning for a prehistoric past than it is a solution to combat climate change, the companys founders have said. By reintroducing mammoths to Arctic environments, they hope to rejuvenate grasslands and reduce permafrost thawa major source of methane emissions.The potential ripple effects of such an ecological intervention have raised profound ethical and scientific questions but have nonetheless captivated researchers, investors and the public alike.MORE FOR YOUThe Science Behind De-ExtinctionColossal Biosciences approach to de-extinction is rooted in cutting-edge advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology.The process begins by extracting DNA from preserved specimens of extinct species. For the woolly mammoth, scientists analyze DNA recovered from frozen remains to identify the genetic differences between the mammoth and its closest living relative, the Asian elephant.With 99.6% shared DNA, the Asian elephant is the woolly mammoth's closest living relativegettyThen, using CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, researchers splice mammoth-specific genes into the genome of the Asian elephant to create a hybrid embryo.This hybrid embryo, which would be gestated in a surrogate elephant or synthetic wombanother technology Colossal is building that may have applications in fertility treatmentis designed to exhibit traits such as long fur, subcutaneous fat and cold tolerance, all hallmarks of the woolly mammoth.The same principles apply to the resurrection of the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo, with scientists relying on the closest living relatives of these species, such as the numbat and Nicobar pigeon, respectively.Why The Woolly Mammoth?As explained previously, the woolly mammoth has the potential to not just be a symbol of the Ice Age but also as a climate-change combatant. Colossals vision for reintroducing mammoths into the tundra ecosystem hinges on their ability to replicate behaviors that promote grassland regeneration.Mammoths trampling could compress snow layers, reducing heat transfer to the soil and slowing permafrost melt. Moreover, they might encourage the growth of grasslands that reflect more sunlight than darker forest canopies, thus mitigating the albedo effecta measure of how well the Earth reflects sunlight.Its an ecological experiment thats rooted in the theory of Pleistocene rewilding, which posits that restoring extinct megafauna could revive degraded ecosystems. Skeptics, however, warn that such interventions could yield unintended consequences, including competition with existing species and other unforeseen ecosystem dynamics.The Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger ProjectsWhile the woolly mammoth project garners most of the attention, Colossals work on the dodo and Tasmanian tiger underscores the broader implications of de-extinction.The dodo, a flightless bird native to Mauritius, went extinct in the late 1600s due to overhunting and habitat destruction. Reviving it could serve as a case study in restoring island ecosystems, which are particularly vulnerable to species loss.The Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, presents another compelling challenge. Extinct since the 1930s, this carnivorous marsupial once played a crucial role in its ecosystem. Its reintroduction could help control invasive species in Tasmania. Colossal plans to leverage the thylacines genome, pieced together from museum specimens, to create a living, breathing representative of the species.The Road AheadThe excitement around de-extinction is tempered by significant ethical and practical concerns. Critics question whether resurrected species can truly be considered the same as their extinct counterparts or if they are mere approximations.Furthermore, the potential risks of introducing genetically engineered organisms into the wildfrom ecological disruptions to disease spreadwill be the subject of careful consideration.Another challenge lies in securing the habitats necessary for these species to thrive. For instance, Asian elephants, already endangered, face numerous threats and their use as surrogates raises questions about animal welfare. The success of de-extinction efforts could divert resources from conserving endangered species that still have viable populations as well.Either way, Colossal Biosciencesnow valued at $10.2 billion after its recent round of fundingis poised to redefine conservation biology. De-extinction offers a tantalizing glimpse into a future where science could restore lost wonder but it also compels us to reflect on our responsibility to protect what remains.Does the idea of bringing these long-extinct animals back to life fill you with curiosity and awe? Take this test and find out if you care for animals the same way you care for people: Animal Attitude Scale