Context:

Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company, plans to resurrect the extinct South Island giant moa, a flightless bird that disappeared from New Zealand around 600 years ago. By collaborating with New Zealand's Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, the company aims to recover and analyze ancient DNA from nine moa species to understand their genetic makeup and guide conservation efforts. Colossal's previous projects include the controversial de-extinction of the dire wolf and plans to bring back other extinct species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo. Critics argue that while the endeavor advances genetic engineering, it risks diverting resources from conserving existing endangered species and may only produce hybrid creations rather than true revivals. Despite these concerns, Colossal emphasizes that their technology could serve as a backup to conservation, potentially aiding species on the brink of extinction.

Dive Deeper:

• Colossal Biosciences, known for its ambitious de-extinction projects, has set its sights on resurrecting the South Island giant moa, an extinct flightless bird that once roamed New Zealand, by using the DNA of its closest living relatives.

• The company's partnership with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre in New Zealand involves recovering ancient DNA from nine moa species to decode their unique genetic traits, which could also contribute to understanding the impacts of climate change and human activity on biodiversity loss.

• Colossal has previously generated excitement and controversy by claiming to have resurrected dire wolves using ancient DNA, cloning, and gene-editing technologies, and it has similar plans for other extinct species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo.

• While the project has garnered interest from notable figures like filmmaker Peter Jackson, who supports the initiative through his collection of moa bones, some scientists argue that the focus should be on conserving existing endangered species rather than pursuing de-extinction.

• Critics express concerns that efforts to reverse extinction through technology could undermine the urgency of preserving current ecosystems, though Colossal's CEO suggests their work could complement conservation by providing a backup system for critically endangered species.

• The technical challenge of reviving birds like the moa, due to their development in eggs, adds complexity compared to mammals like the dire wolf, but proponents believe successful de-extinction could highlight the extent of biodiversity loss caused by human activity.

• Colossal has committed significant investments to ecological restoration in New Zealand, aiming to rehabilitate potential moa habitats and support native species, while their broader mission explores the feasibility of a scalable de-extinction system alongside conservation efforts.