De-Extinction Is No Longer Theoretical. Here’s What Colossal Does Next.
Ben Lamm on building the tools to bring back more of what’s been lost
The birth of the world’s first functionally de-extincted dire wolves marked a turning point for Colossal Biosciences and for the broader field of conservation science. In a new interview, co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm outlines how the company is expanding the capabilities that made the dire wolf possible, including advances in ancient DNA sequencing, genome engineering, and species-specific field planning developed alongside conservation partners. George Church, Ph.D., co-founder of Colossal, captured the significance plainly: “The core technologies that enable de-extinction have far-reaching and meaningful impacts far outside of bringing back extinct animals.” With the dire wolf as its clearest proof point, Colossal is now focused on applying that same platform to additional species while continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists and conservationists.