The Return of the Dodo: How Colossal Biosciences Plans toRevive an Extinct Icon

In a world where technology continuously blurs the linesbetween science fiction and reality, one company is taking an ambitious leap:bringing back the extinct dodo bird. Once native to the island ofMauritius and extinct since the late 1600s, the dodo has long been a symbol ofirreversible loss in the natural world. Now, Colossal Biosciences, aTexas-based biotech firm, aims to rewrite that narrative using the tools of geneticengineering and de-extinction science.

This isn’t a mere Jurassic Park fantasy. It’s ascientifically grounded endeavor backed by substantial funding, globalinterest, and cutting-edge genomics. But what does it really mean to"bring back" the dodo? What are the implications for biodiversity,conservation, and the future of life on Earth? Let’s dive deep into thisgroundbreaking project.

The Dodo: A Tragic Symbol of Extinction

The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless birdnative to Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. Weighing about 15 to 20 kg(30–40 lbs), it lived in isolation with no natural predators until humansarrived. In the late 16th century, Dutch sailors discovered the dodo, and withinjust a few decades, hunting, habitat destruction, and invasive species broughtabout its complete extinction.

Its loss was one of the first globally recognized examplesof human-driven extinction. As such, the dodo became a sobering icon—used inliterature, science, and even colloquial language ("as dead as adodo") to signify things that are permanently gone.

Who Is Behind the Revival?

Colossal Biosciences, co-founded by entrepreneur BenLamm and Harvard geneticist Dr. George Church, is no stranger to bold ideas.The company gained initial attention for its mission to revive the woollymammoth, and later announced efforts to bring back the Tasmanian tiger(thylacine). In 2023, the company revealed that the dodo would be thelatest candidate in its de-extinction efforts.

Armed with more than $225 million in funding and a team oftop-tier geneticists, evolutionary biologists, and conservationists, Colossalis blending CRISPR gene-editing, synthetic biology, and stemcell technology to make these visions a reality.

How Will the Dodo Be Brought Back?

The project doesn't involve cloning in the traditionalsense. Because no living cells of the dodo exist, true cloning is impossible.Instead, Colossal uses genome reconstruction. Here's how:

1. Sequencing     the Dodo Genome: Scientists have successfully sequenced the genome of     the extinct dodo from preserved specimens.
2. Identifying     the Closest Living Relative: The Nicobar pigeon is considered     the dodo’s closest living relative. It provides a reference for comparing     and editing genetic sequences.
3. Genome     Editing: Using advanced tools like CRISPR-Cas9, researchers     plan to edit Nicobar pigeon DNA to match the reconstructed dodo genome.
4. Creating     Viable Embryos: Once the edited DNA is inserted into pigeon germ     cells, it will be used to produce an embryo that will hopefully develop     into a dodo-like bird.
5. Surrogacy:     A surrogate bird (possibly another pigeon species) will incubate and hatch     the genetically engineered embryo.

A Timeline to Watch

While the process is extraordinarily complex, Colossal hasstated a goal: to produce a living dodo by 2028. Although ambitious,this timeline reflects not only the company’s optimism but also the rapid paceat which biotechnology and regenerative medicine are advancing.

Why Bring the Dodo Back?

At first glance, reviving an extinct species might seem likea novelty or even an unnecessary distraction from current conservation efforts.However, Colossal offers several justifications:

• Ecosystem     Restoration: The dodo played a unique role in the Mauritian ecosystem,     especially in the dispersal of certain native plant species. Reviving it     could aid ecological balance.
• Conservation     Awareness: De-extinction projects spark public interest in     biodiversity and habitat preservation. The buzz surrounding the dodo may     support active conservation for endangered species.
• Scientific     Advancement: The technologies developed for de-extinction could be     used to save critically endangered species, enhance genetic     resilience, and repair degraded ecosystems.
• Ethical     Responsibility: Since human activity caused the extinction, some argue     there is an ethical imperative to correct the damage if possible.

The Ethical and Ecological Debate

Despite the excitement, not everyone is on board. Criticspoint to the following concerns:

• Diverted     Resources: Funds and attention spent on de-extinction might be better     directed toward saving currently endangered species and habitats.
• Unknown     Ecological Impacts: Reintroducing an extinct species into a modern     ecosystem could have unintended consequences, especially if the     environment has drastically changed since extinction.
• Animal     Welfare: The processes of gene editing, embryo transfer, and     cross-species surrogacy raise ethical questions about the treatment     of animals used in these experiments.

Colossal maintains that these concerns are valid and says itis working closely with ecologists and ethicists to mitigate risks and ensureresponsible development.

The Future of Life Engineering

The dodo project is part of a larger movement toward syntheticbiodiversity—not just preserving life, but potentially redesigning andrestoring it. Whether or not Colossal successfully revives the dodo in thecoming years, their efforts symbolize a new era where life itself isprogrammable.

It also challenges humanity to reconsider what extinctionreally means. If we can reverse extinction, how do we define the limits of ourresponsibility—and our capability—in managing the biosphere?

Final Thoughts

The resurrection of the dodo bird, once thought permanentlylost, may soon be more than a dream. Thanks to Colossal Biosciences and itspioneering de-extinction work, we are on the brink of witnessing a scientificmilestone that could redefine conservation and our relationship with nature.

As we await the first "neo-dodo" to waddle backinto the world, the story of this bird serves not only as a cautionary tale butnow, perhaps, as a story of hope, restoration, and resilience.

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