Scientists have created a mouse with mammoth-like fur. This is part of a bigger plan to bring back the woolly mammoth. The company behind this is using a technology called CRISPR. They found genes in mice that are similar to those in mammoths. Then, they edited the mouse embryos to have these genes. The embryos were then placed in surrogate mouse mothers. The result was a mouse with fur that looks like a mammoth's.
The company believes that this fur will help the mice survive in cold climates. But first, they need permission from a committee that makes sure animal research is ethical. This is a big deal because it's the first time anyone has done this. The company wants to test if the genes help the mice adapt to cold environments.
The company is also working on mapping the entire genome of an extinct woolly mammoth. They are comparing it with its closest living relative, the Asian elephant. This is a big task because there are hundreds of differences between the DNA of an elephant and a mammoth.
The company has impressed investors with how fast they are creating new technologies. They have also announced plans to bring back other extinct animals, like the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo bird. But some experts think the company's goal to bring back the woolly mammoth by 2028 might not be realistic.
One expert said that while it's exciting to see the mice produce a mammoth-like coat, there are still many technical hurdles to overcome. He believes that it will be possible to eventually re-create the woolly mammoth, but it will take a lot of work.
The company calls the creation of the woolly mouse a "watershed moment" for their de-extinction mission. They said the mice were born healthy and had the exact traits they predicted. The only surprise was how cute the mice turned out to be.
This is a big step towards bringing back extinct animals. But it's important to remember that this is still a work in progress. There are many challenges ahead, and it will take a lot of time and effort to overcome them. It's also important to think about the ethical implications of bringing back extinct animals. This is a complex issue that needs to be carefully considered.
