Imagine a tiny mouse with long, golden-brown fur that looks like it belongs on a woolly mammoth! As of a couple months ago, you don’t have to imagine- scientists at Colossal Biosciences recently created mice like this by using a technique called genetic engineering. They added mammoth genes found in fossils into mouse embryos so the mice would grow thick, shaggy coats and develop traits that helped mammoths survive in the Ice Age. The researchers conducted this experiment to help them understand how mammoths stayed warm, and this might even lead to creating elephant species that can live in colder climates.
What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering works by changing an organism’s DNA, which is like the instruction book for life. DNA is made up of genes, and each gene gives directions for a specific trait, like eye color, height, or how thick an animal’s fur is, in this case. Scientists use a tool called CRISPR to cut or edit DNA very precisely. This allows them to remove, add, or change certain genes to add in traits, or even create new traits. For example, in this experiment, mammoth genes were added to mice to see how they affected hair growth and temperature regulation.
We can we really bring back extinct animals?
The idea of bringing back extinct animals sounds exciting, but it also comes with serious challenges. The world has changed a lot since mammoths roamed the Earth. There are no longer huge frozen grasslands for them to live in, and reintroducing mammoth-like creatures could harm existing ecosystems or create competition for resources. Some scientists worry that these new animals might struggle to survive or suffer in modern conditions that are too different from their original habitats. While bringing extinct animal might be possible, you can’t feasibly bring back an extinct environment to house them in. Due to this, we can’t truly bring back extinct animals that would survive for long periods of time in the wild.
There’s also an ethical side to think about. Just because humans have the power to change life and the ecosystem doesn’t always mean we should. Many experts believe our focus should be on protecting endangered animals that still exist rather than reviving ones that are long gone.
The “woolly mouse” experiment shows how powerful genetic engineering can be- it lets scientists explore ancient life in new ways. But it also reminds us that with every new discovery, we have to remember that the question is not only can we do this, but should be do this?
References
- Unknown author. (2025, March 4). Woolly mammoth extinction: Mice with mammoth-like traits raise hopes for genetic engineering. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/04/nx-s1-5299962/woolly-mammoth-extinction-mice-genetic-engineering
- Davies, J. (2025, March 10). Colossal Biosciences engineers mice with woolly mammoth traits. Chemical & Engineering News, 103(06). https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-10306-scicon5
