Colossal Biosciences CEO and cofounder Ben Lamm stated that the Trump administration is receptive to initiatives involving technology, profit generation, cost savings, and high-profile achievements. According to Lamm, who spoke at the WIRED World Fair on Wednesday, these shared priorities enabled Colossal to secure government support for an initiative aimed at collecting DNA samples from endangered species. This collaboration marks a significant development given the administration's historical stance on land and wildlife conservation.
Colossal has gained widespread attention for its claims of reviving dire wolves and creating wooly mice through gene editing as part of a broader strategy to resurrect the wooly mammoth. The company recently raised $230 million in its Series C funding round last year, achieving a valuation of $10.2 billion. Reports from Axios earlier this year indicate that Colossal is currently seeking a new funding round that could value the startup between $20 billion and $30 billion. Beyond its primary de-extinction goals, the company has spun off multiple ventures, including one utilizing microbes to degrade plastic, and holds a stake in Warhound. Warhound, developed by Lamm alongside Anduril CEO Palmer Luckey, aims to produce genetically enhanced dogs for military, law enforcement, and first responder applications.
Lamm emphasized that Colossal's biobanking efforts are critical as climate change and habitat destruction intensify pressure on wildlife. He noted that the company is applying a similar methodology with Warhound to reduce reliance on European "puppy mills" that produce working dogs. However, the company faces criticism from conservationists who argue that promising future de-extinction distracts from current efforts to protect endangered species. Critics contend that such promises could encourage policies leading to further extinctions, a concern raised when Colossal began its biobank collaboration with the Trump administration earlier this year.
In defense of the initiative, Lamm argued that dire forecasts for biodiversity necessitate proactive measures rather than inaction, stating, "you don't put your head in the sand" for four years. The company has also faced scrutiny for potentially overselling its results; for instance, the genome of the dire wolves created by Colossal is reportedly very similar to that of gray wolves. David Jachowski, a professor at Clemson University, previously told WIRED that defining species involves inherent subjectivity. Additionally, Colossal will miss its initial 2028 deadline for creating a wooly mammoth, though Lamm confirmed progress with 130 edits to mammoth genes. He expressed willingness to have the company's creations labeled as gene-edited gray wolves or "hairy elephants" if necessary.
While acknowledging that Colossal has made numerous high-profile announcements, Lamm suggested the company has actually undersold its gene-editing capabilities and hinted at future surprises for the public. However, he clarified that the company will not pursue extinct ocean predators like the megalodon, despite receiving significant interest in such a project. "The ocean is already scary," Lamm added regarding the decision to exclude marine megafauna from their scope.
Sources: WIRED.