Hoping to revive mammoths, scientists create 'wooly mice'

Scientists have genetically engineered mice with some key characteristics of an extinct animal that was far larger — the woolly mammoth.

This "woolly mouse" marks an important step toward achieving the researchers' ultimate goal — bringing a woolly mammoth-like creature back from extinction, they say.

"For us, it's an incredibly big deal," says Beth Shapiro, chief science officer at Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas company trying to resurrect the woolly mammoth and other extinct species.

Scientists implanted genetically modified embryos in female lab mice that gave birth to the first of the woolly pups in October.

"This is really validation that what we have in mind for our longer-term de-extinction project is really going to work," Shapiro told NPR in an interview. The company says reviving extinct species like the mammoth, the dodo and others could help repair ecosystems. Critics, however, question whether de-extinction would be safe for the animals or environment.

[thomascraddock]

It's all fun and games until the mouse grows tusks.

[skyneko]

We may not have flying cars because of certain people but at least we got these adorable creatures

[thelazycatlady]

Maybe they can cure baldness while they are at it. 😁

[PinkfeverVr]

idc if they get the woolly mammoth too come back. I want one of those mice

[kategranville]

1) Did they learn nothing from Jurassic Park?
2) THIS is what scientists are spending time and money on?

[gentlenman]

I want a woolly mice, they're so cuuuute

[Axoltus]

Polar bears when the new mammoth dlc gets returned: “when did walruses grow legs?”

[I_like_stuff_le]

They made ratatatatattatatatatatatatat real

[Spectating_Commenter]

well well well ! man made delights that i can comprehend!

[KennethBayot-vy]

we don't need to revive a t rex we have chickenosaurus

[MrHeisenberg_]

All fun and games till they find out how to bring back a fucking t rex

[Sakuyamon]

the mouse are super cute, but releasing mammoth-elephant hybrids into the artic is insane. The mammoth died out partially because we exited the ice age. And if scientists are to be believed, things are only going to get hotter thanks to climate change...why on earth do they think it will be humane to recreate them if they also think that the arctic will melt?

[Mightymoxie]

I will die of joy if we get mini l, handheld wooly mammoth mice 😂

[ahxcfujdsxgybjjjbbkgv]

so how would a fake mammoth like elephant would survive in the arctic 😂

[DavidBlair-qc]

My sister crashed out when I told her about this

[boomk]

Can we keep those wooly mice as pets 🥹

[Garling-T]

'Me' "beeping the car horn" MAMTHON GET OUT THE FARTING ROADDD

[MatthewH-le]

If God made the mammoths extinct, then God made the mammoths extinct.

[indigoguy]

Everyone’s complaining in the comments about Woolly Mice but I think they’re cool and adorable

[JojoHopnasty]

I’ve literally gone my entire life hearing this woman’s voice on the radio. This is the first time I’ve actually seen her face lmao