Colossal CEO Ben Lamm Emphasizes Humanity’s ‘Moral Obligation’ to Explore De-extinction Technology
Colossal, a startup focused on using genetic editing to revive extinct species, including the woolly mammoth, has made headlines with its ambitious goals. During a recent discussion at the SXSW festival, CEO Ben Lamm clarified that the company is not aspiring to create a real-life version of Jurassic Park, which has been a common concern among the public.
Lamm emphasized the need for innovative solutions in modern conservation, stating, “Modern conservation isn’t working […] and we’re gonna need a ‘de-extinction’ toolkit.” He believes there is a moral and ethical responsibility to explore technologies that could reverse environmental damage caused by humans.
In addition to the woolly mammoth, Colossal is also focused on reviving species like the dodo bird and the thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger. However, the prospect of bringing dinosaurs back to life is not feasible due to the absence of usable dinosaur DNA. The company, which was founded in 2023 by Lamm and renowned geneticist George Church, is aiming to produce hybrid woolly mammoth calves by 2028, with plans to release them into their native Arctic tundra habitat.
Colossal’s mission has attracted significant financial support, raising hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital and currently being valued at $10.2 billion. The startup has also launched two spin-off companies concentrating on specialized areas of its research, with a third forthcoming venture as well. Lamm has indicated the significant economic potential tied to projects revolving around species re-wilding and carbon sequestration, hinting at “billions of dollars” in future opportunities.
One notable project undertaken by Colossal is the creation of a gene-edited mouse resembling a woolly mammoth. These mice have been genetically modified to express traits similar to their long-extinct counterparts, demonstrating shaggy fur influenced by both mammoth and typical mouse gene mutations. While some experts have questioned the significance of this experiment, viewing it as more of an exploration of mouse genetics rather than a breakthrough in de-extinction, Lamm believes that it validates ongoing research into woolly mammoths and indicates that their genetic modifications are on the right track.
During the SXSW event, Lamm also discussed the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) combined with synthetic biology, suggesting that this combination may produce the most impactful technologies humanity has ever seen. He expressed an optimistic vision of a future where synthetic biology could lead to significant advancements, such as cures for cancer, methods to clean up plastics from the oceans, and widespread access to clean drinking water.
Lamm articulated a grand vision of humanity gaining control over life itself, suggesting that we could eliminate invasive species or potentially bring extinct species back to life. He anticipates that advancements in gene editing might allow for the engineering of plants not just for food but for nutritional enhancements, offering diverse proteins.
Looking to the future, Lamm speculated that scientific developments could lead to remarkable increases in human life expectancy, potentially approaching “longevity escape velocity” within the next two decades. He also mentioned the concept of a large-scale initiative aimed at preserving endangered species in “bio vaults,” which would involve creating stem and egg cells for future revival.
Colossal interacts regularly with U.S. government agencies, having secured investment through federal grants. This collaboration hints at broader interests in leveraging biotechnology for ecological and conservation purposes in the public sector. As the field of genetic editing evolves, the implications of Colossal’s work could be profound, impacting species preservation and conservation strategies worldwide.
