Latest news with #BethShapiro
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Business Standard
11-07-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Jurassic Park for real? Biotech firm to revive New Zealand's giant bird
Towering over three metres tall, the South Island giant moa was a true titan of the bird world — the tallest bird ever to walk the Earth. For millennia, this flightless herbivore roamed the lush forests of New Zealand, browsing on trees and shrubs with unmatched dominance. But its reign came to an abrupt end 600 years ago with the arrival of humans who hunted it to extinction. The legendary moa now lives on only through Māori oral traditions and scattered remnants: ancient bones, traces of mummified flesh, and the occasional feather — haunting clues to a lost giant. Now, centuries after its disappearance, the giant bird is set to be the latest resurrection target for Colossal Biosciences — a Texas-based biotech company known for its audacious attempts to revive extinct creatures. On Tuesday, the company announced plans to "bring back" the moa within the next ten years, calling the project part of its growing mission to restore lost biodiversity. 'We're bringing back avian dinosaurs,' the company declared. The South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) was the largest of nine known moa species, capable of reaching up to 12 feet (3.6 metres) in height. While all moas vanished within a few hundred years of human settlement in New Zealand, Colossal says it hopes to reverse that loss using advanced genetic engineering — in partnership with local Indigenous communities. Can genetic engineering truly bring back lost species? Colossal's plans are ambitious, but they're also raising serious scientific concerns. The company has already faced scrutiny for claiming earlier this year that it had brought back the dire wolf — an Ice Age predator believed to have gone extinct over 10,000 years ago. But after the reveal, many experts pushed back, calling it misleading. The recreated animals, they argued, were simply grey wolves with minor gene edits — not true dire wolves. Even Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief scientist, later admitted the animals were 'gray wolves with 20 edits' and clarified in an interview with New Scientist that 'it's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive.' Despite this, the company has doubled down on its original claims, insisting it had indeed "resurrected" the dire wolf. Similar questions now surround the moa project — and others in Colossal's pipeline, including plans to bring back the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine (also known as the Tasmanian tiger). Critics argue that, while the science may be impressive, the outcomes are far from true de-extinction. 'There is no existing genetic technology capable of truly bringing a lost species back to life — especially one that's been absent from its ecosystem and evolutionary journey for centuries,' said Philip Seddon, a zoology professor at the University of Otago, in a statement to the New Zealand Science Media Centre (NZSMC). 'No matter the scientific precision, the outcome will never be a real moa. It cannot be. The moa was a singular marvel, shaped by thousands of years of natural evolution — a legacy that simply can't be replicated in a lab.' How Colossal plans to recreate the moa According to Colossal, the process to 'revive' the moa involves extracting DNA from preserved remains of all nine moa species and comparing it with the genetic codes of living birds. Speaking to Time magazine, Shapiro said scientists aim to identify key genetic traits unique to the moa and then engineer those into the genome of the emu or tinamou — two of the moa's closest living relatives. The result would be a modified bird, bred to resemble the extinct giant as closely as possible. But experts caution this will be, at best, a proxy — not a perfect clone. Dr Tori Herridge, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Sheffield, who turned down an offer to join Colossal's advisory board, is among those raising ethical and scientific red flags. 'Is de-extinction possible? No, it's not,' she told The Guardian. 'What we might eventually create are genetically modified organisms that mimic some traits of extinct species, based on what we think they looked like. But using the term 'de-extinction' skips over the hard questions. We're not bringing back the mammoth, the moa or the dodo — we're creating something new to engineer ecological change.'
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Business Standard
11-07-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
De-extinction firm to bring back avian dinosaurs within next 10 years
Towering over three metres tall, the South Island giant moa was a true titan of the bird world — the tallest bird ever to walk the Earth. For millennia, this flightless herbivore roamed the lush forests of New Zealand, browsing on trees and shrubs with unmatched dominance. But its reign came to an abrupt end 600 years ago with the arrival of humans who hunted it to extinction. The legendary moa now lives on only through Māori oral traditions and scattered remnants: ancient bones, traces of mummified flesh, and the occasional feather — haunting clues to a lost giant. Now, centuries after its disappearance, the giant bird is set to be the latest resurrection target for Colossal Biosciences — a Texas-based biotech company known for its audacious attempts to revive extinct creatures. On Tuesday, the company announced plans to "bring back" the moa within the next ten years, calling the project part of its growing mission to restore lost biodiversity. 'We're bringing back avian dinosaurs,' the company declared. The South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) was the largest of nine known moa species, capable of reaching up to 12 feet (3.6 metres) in height. While all moas vanished within a few hundred years of human settlement in New Zealand, Colossal says it hopes to reverse that loss using advanced genetic engineering — in partnership with local Indigenous communities. Can genetic engineering truly bring back lost species? Colossal's plans are ambitious, but they're also raising serious scientific concerns. The company has already faced scrutiny for claiming earlier this year that it had brought back the dire wolf — an Ice Age predator believed to have gone extinct over 10,000 years ago. But after the reveal, many experts pushed back, calling it misleading. The recreated animals, they argued, were simply grey wolves with minor gene edits — not true dire wolves. Even Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief scientist, later admitted the animals were 'gray wolves with 20 edits' and clarified in an interview with New Scientist that 'it's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive.' Despite this, the company has doubled down on its original claims, insisting it had indeed "resurrected" the dire wolf. Similar questions now surround the moa project — and others in Colossal's pipeline, including plans to bring back the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine (also known as the Tasmanian tiger). Critics argue that, while the science may be impressive, the outcomes are far from true de-extinction. 'There is no existing genetic technology capable of truly bringing a lost species back to life — especially one that's been absent from its ecosystem and evolutionary journey for centuries,' said Philip Seddon, a zoology professor at the University of Otago, in a statement to the New Zealand Science Media Centre (NZSMC). 'No matter the scientific precision, the outcome will never be a real moa. It cannot be. The moa was a singular marvel, shaped by thousands of years of natural evolution — a legacy that simply can't be replicated in a lab.' How Colossal plans to recreate the moa According to Colossal, the process to 'revive' the moa involves extracting DNA from preserved remains of all nine moa species and comparing it with the genetic codes of living birds. Speaking to Time magazine, Shapiro said scientists aim to identify key genetic traits unique to the moa and then engineer those into the genome of the emu or tinamou — two of the moa's closest living relatives. The result would be a modified bird, bred to resemble the extinct giant as closely as possible. But experts caution this will be, at best, a proxy — not a perfect clone. Dr Tori Herridge, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Sheffield, who turned down an offer to join Colossal's advisory board, is among those raising ethical and scientific red flags. 'Is de-extinction possible? No, it's not,' she told The Guardian. 'What we might eventually create are genetically modified organisms that mimic some traits of extinct species, based on what we think they looked like. But using the term 'de-extinction' skips over the hard questions. We're not bringing back the mammoth, the moa or the dodo — we're creating something new to engineer ecological change.'
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
His precious: 'Lord of the Rings 'director Peter Jackson on mission to bring back extinct bird
One does not simply bring back an entire extinct bird species — at least, not without Peter Jackson's help. Colossal Biosciences announced on Tuesday that it had partnered with the Lord of the Rings director in an effort to genetically engineer birds that are similar to the lost South Island giant moa, AP reports. Jackson, an avid moa enthusiast with at least 300 bones in his collection, and his partner Fran Walsh have contributed $15 million in funding toward the revitalization of the species. 'The movies are my day job, and the moa are my fun thing I do,' Jackson explained to the outlet. 'Every New Zealand schoolchild has a fascination with the moa.' One of the tallest bird species ever known to walk the Earth, the moa was a massive flightless bird similar to an ostrich that roamed New Zealand for 4,000 years. However, overhunting led the herbivores to go extinct roughly 600 years ago. Check out more from EW's , featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and diving into all the highlights from the year's best films, TV, and music. Now, Jackson and Colossal Biosciences, in association with New Zealand-based Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, are trying to bring the bird back. Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief scientist, told AP that the first step in the project is finding moa bones that may still hold potential DNA. Once extracted, Shapiro explained that the moa's DNA will be compared to that of modern-day birds like the emu in order to properly 'figure out what it is that made the moa unique compared to other birds.' Colossal Biosciences used this practice in the past as part of its ongoing campaign to bring back the dire wolf. The biotech company has genetically altered three gray wolf puppies — named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi — that were born over the last year. The process of bringing back birds like the moa, however, is an entirely different ballgame because they are formed inside of an egg. 'There's lots of different scientific hurdles that need to be overcome with any species that we pick as a candidate for de-extinction,' Shapiro said. 'We are in the very early stages.' Now only time will tell if life, uh, finds a way. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Forbes
21-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
This Female Scientist Brought The Dire Wolf Back From Extinction
© John Davidson Women make up 43.1% of scientists in the U.S. workforce, yet they account for just 34% of the broader STEM fields, according to the National Science Foundation. Within these industries, many have faced sexual harassment or undue criticism throughout their careers, especially as their work garners public attention. The numbers—and the stories—are sobering. Enter Dr. Beth Shapiro, a powerhouse in genomic science. She has directed her own lab at the University of California, Berkeley, authored critically acclaimed books and holds the prestigious title of HHMI Investigator. Now, as the Chief Science Officer at Colossal Biosciences, a groundbreaking company leading the charge in de-extinction, Shapiro is guiding a predominantly female team to reshape the future of conservation and genomics. While leaving academia wasn't an easy decision for Shapiro, she has gone on to work on some of the most exciting projects in her career. Last year, she made history when she brought the dire wolf back from extinction. On October 1, 2024, the first two dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, were born; on January 31, 2025, a third dire wolf named Khaleesi was welcomed into the world. 'What conservation needs is bold ideas and bold action. This breakthrough showcases that humans are capable of both. We can use biotechnologies to speed up the processes of selection and adaptation,' she said in a statement on the Colossal website. 'With the successful birth of Colossal's dire wolf, we are one step closer to a world in which these tools are among those at our disposal to help species thrive in their rapidly changing habitats.' She has faced some level of criticism for the project, and the harshest are often less qualified males in the STEM field. However, Shapiro is more concerned about the next generation. 'We get letters from kids inspired by our work — our science, conservation efforts, and commitment to bettering the planet,' she explained in an interview. 'I worry about them losing hope when they see how women in science are often treated.' © John Davidson This isn't just about Shapiro; it's about the culture of tearing down women in fields where they're already underrepresented. The stakes are high—not just for the scientists, but for the future of innovation itself. What Can We Do To Change The Narrative? Look Beyond The Headlines Not all scientists are created equal. Before buying into criticism, dig deeper into the credentials of those doing the critiquing. Are their accomplishments anywhere near the level of those they're disparaging? Call Out Inequality When you see women's work unfairly diminished, speak up. The more we normalize respect and fairness, the better the culture becomes. Support Girls In STEM Programs that encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Donate, mentor or simply share resources that highlight their importance. Challenge The Status Quo Question why women face disproportionate scrutiny. Is it jealousy, insecurity, or outdated biases? Sometimes, the problem isn't the science. It's the ego of the critic. Celebrate Women's Wins Share their successes, amplify their voices, and ensure their stories reach the audiences they deserve. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The Science Of De-Extinction Is Providing Hope For Nature's Future By Emma Kershaw Forbes Billionaire Eugene Shvidler Revealed As The Artist Behind ES23 By Emma Kershaw Forbes Inside A $22 Million Mediterranean-Style Villa Overlooking San Francisco By Emma Kershaw
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Colossal's de-extinction campaign is built on a semantic house of cards with shoddy foundations — and the consequences are dire
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The idea of resurrecting extinct organisms is alluring; I would love to see one of the strange Cambrian animals like Hallucigenia and Opabinia, feathered dinosaurs, the giant hornless rhino "Walter" and giant sloths. The "de-extinction" company Colossal Biosciences promises to fulfill that dream, at least for extinct animals like woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius), dodos (Raphus cucullatus), and Tasmanian tigers (Thylacinus cynocephalus). It has recently been making waves in its quest to de-extinct charismatic fauna. First, it claimed to have developed elephant induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), from which they could "de-extinct" woolly mammoths, then for creating Colossal Woolly Mouse, or the Mammouse, a proof of concept that mammoth-like traits can be engineered into other animals. Most recently, in a choreographed, but botched, reveal, Colossal made an astonishing claim: they had brought back the dire wolf from extinction. "De-extinction is now a reality," it posted to X. On LinkedIn, representatives wrote the wolves were "the first animals in history to be brought back from extinction." News headlines boldly claimed that "The dire wolf is back," and the "Return of the Dire Wolf." But the photogenic, clickbaitable animals in their public relations campaign are not dire wolves; they are genetically engineered grey wolves that might resemble dire wolves. To me, this feels like an assault on objective truth in pursuit of profit. Colossal's years-long de-extinction campaign is built on a semantic house of cards and the "illusory truth effect" — where if you repeat something enough times, people will believe it. The common-sense definition of de-extinction is reversing extinction — bringing a species that no longer exists back to life. But that's not Colossal's definition. The company has rebranded it as "deëxtinction" or "functional de-extinction" — describing it as "the process of generating an organism that both resembles and is genetically similar to an extinct species [emphasis added]." It ignores that "similar" is relative given all organisms descend from a common ancestor that lived 4.2 billion years ago; humans are more genetically similar to sponges than bacteria, but swapping genes between humans and sponges doesn't transmutate one into the other. A hairy elephant is not a woolly mammoth and a grey wolf with a few genetic alterations isn't a dire wolf. Saying they are with a tweaked definition of de-extinction doesn't make it true. In a subsequent interview with New Scientist, chief scientist at Colossal Beth Shapiro acknowledged that dire wolves haven't been de-extincted, while seemingly claiming Colossal never said they were. "It's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive," she told the publication. "Our animals are grey wolves with 20 edits that are cloned. And we've said that from the very beginning. Colloquially, they're calling them dire wolves and that makes people angry." They further mislead by simplifying and exploiting a nuanced scientific debate over species concepts; because there is no universally agreed-upon species definition, it gives them license to use an alternative, more convenient one. While evolutionary biologists debate whether species are real biological entities or conceptual abstractions, no definition is based on overall similarity. Colossal calls them dire wolves because if they look like this animal, then they are the animal. Much like the meaning of de-extinction, Colossal redefines what it means to be a species. In a remarkable bit of lawfare, Colossal has filed patents that, if accepted as written by the Patent and Trademark Office, would legitimize their definition of de-extinction as a single gene from an extinct species introduced into an extant one. They have also filed for a type of trademark that secures their rights to use the names of the de-extinct "dire wolves," Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, in board games, toys, video games, trading cards, etc., to protect their "brand identity." Thus, if transgenic grey wolf clones are transmutated into dire wolves because Colossal says they are, and if the government agrees with Colossal's definition, then one mutation could turn living species into monetizable and lucrative extinct ones. Related: 'Closer than people think': Woolly mammoth 'de-extinction' is nearing reality — and we have no idea what happens next The foundations of their house of cards are shoddy and built on disinformation, or, as the philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt might say, bulls**t. Who benefits from this colossal bulls**t campaign? Colossal's investors, who I can't imagine care about quiet academic debates over species concepts. Colossal aims to monetize the development and commercialization of cutting-edge biotech, including methods to edit the genome at multiple locations simultaneously, differentiate cells into sperm and eggs, and invent artificial wombs, among others. These techniques are legitimately promising. Developing these methods will have profound implications for human health and disease when successful. When, and I do believe it is when, not if, they succeed, infertility and genetic disease will be a thing of the past. But instead of applying these methods to real problems, the company is focused on selling de-extinction to the public. Colossal's deception is already having real-world consequences. The Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum wrote on on X that the arrival of the dire wolf is a "time to fundamentally change how we think about species conservation," that "the marvel of de-extinction technology can help forge a future where populations are never at risk," and that "The Endangered Species List has become like the Hotel California: once a species enters, they never leave. In fact, 97 percent of species that are added to the endangered list remain there." Burgum declines to note in his post that those 97% of species remain on the list because we have failed to protect their habitats from human encroachment; their populations have not rebounded, therefore, they stay on the list. The Trump administration has announced it will remove protections from many endangered species, citing Colossal's de-extinction of the dire wolf. Who needs to protect endangered species like the red wolves from extinction when we can just introduce one of their extinct genes into a coyote and deëxtinct them? Related stories —Colossal's de-extincted 'dire wolf' isn't a dire wolf and it has not been de-extincted, experts say —How related are dire wolves and gray wolves? The answer might surprise you. —Most complete Tasmanian tiger genome yet pieced together from 110-year-old pickled head In an era where "alternative facts" reign, Colossal's claim to de-extinction is more than just semantics and nonsensical differences in definitions. It is about market capitalization, at the expense of the foundations of scientific integrity and public trust in science and scientists. Their scripted narrative has polluted the information ecosystem, and like a forever chemical, now that it has been introduced, it will linger on. Almost no one who read the fawning and remarkably gullible headlines or saw the TV coverage will read the critical commentary that followed, the news cycle has passed. It's hard to dismantle a multi-year disinformation campaign wielded by a $10 billion biotech Goliath and work toward the de-extinction of truth. But we can speak truth to power and help the public discern science from science fiction, information from misinformation, and breakthroughs from flashy marketing ploys. What Colossal Biosciences offers us is bulls**t in exchange for objective truth. Opinion on Live Science gives you insight on the most important issues in science that affect you and the world around you today, written by experts and leading scientists in their field.
