Reviving The Woolly Mammoth ... With Mice
Short Wave, NPR
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Hosts: Emily Kwong and Regina Barber
Featuring: Rob Stein and Beth Shapiro

Introduction: A Fuzzy Frontier in De-Extinction

In the March 4, 2025 episode of NPR's Short Wave, hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber explore an ambitious and controversial scientific endeavor: the revival of the woolly mammoth. This episode, titled "Reviving The Woolly Mammoth ... With Mice," delves into how scientists are leveraging genetic engineering and mouse models to potentially bring these extinct giants back to life.

The Woolly Mice: Bridging the Past and Present

Host Regina Barber opens the discussion with a lighthearted introduction, quickly transitioning to the core topic with co-host Rob Stein. At [00:37], Rob shares, “I'm here this time to talk about little fuzzy, squeaky animals… Woolly mice.” These genetically modified mice are not your ordinary lab specimens; they showcase traits reminiscent of the extinct woolly mammoths, serving as crucial steps toward de-extinction.

Colossal Biosciences' Bold Mission

Rob Stein provides context about Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotech company spearheading this project. The company's goal is to reincarnate mammoth-like elephants by infusing modern Asian elephants with key mammoth traits such as thick coats and specialized fat metabolism necessary for Arctic survival ([03:20] Rob Stein).

Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer, explains the foundational work: “We ask, where are all of the mammoths? The same as each other, but different from an elephant. So this is narrowing down the focus on the genes that make mammoths mammoths instead of elephants” ([04:04] Beth Shapiro). By comparing ancient DNA from mammoth remains with that of living elephants, scientists have pinpointed approximately ten candidate genes responsible for the mammoths' distinctive features.

The Role of Mice in Genetic Research

Given the lengthy gestation periods of elephants ([04:39] Beth Shapiro), using Asian elephants to test these genetic modifications would be impractical and unethical, especially considering their endangered status. Instead, researchers turn to mice, which reproduce rapidly and allow for swift experimentation. Beth comments, “With a mouse model, we can really rapidly test these hypotheses and learn whether this change might be responsible for making the animal woolly” ([05:00] Beth Shapiro).

Successes in Creating Woolly Traits

The manipulation of mouse genetics has yielded promising results. As Rob Stein narrates, “One change gave the mice hair three times longer than usual. Another made their coats wavy. Another turned their coats this kind of golden blonde color, like mammoths” ([06:07] Rob Stein). These alterations have produced adorable, woolly mice that visually mirror the iconic appearance of woolly mammoths, providing valuable proof-of-concept for the de-extinction project.

Scientific Community’s Mixed Reactions

While the project has garnered excitement, it has also sparked debate within the scientific community. Vincent Lynch, a biology professor at the University of Buffalo, expresses skepticism: “A mouse is not an elephant” ([08:01] Rob Stein). He acknowledges the technical achievements but cautions against assuming that the same genetic modifications will translate effectively to larger, more complex organisms like elephants.

Moreover, concerns about ecological impacts and ethical considerations have been raised. Carl Flesa, a geosciences professor at the University of Arizona, questions the unforeseen consequences of introducing genetically engineered elephants into tundra ecosystems: “They sort of want to mess around on a pretty large scale… I don’t know what would happen” ([08:34] Rob Stein).

Defending the Vision: Environmental Restoration and Conservation

In response to critiques, Beth Shapiro defends the project’s environmental intentions: “Our intention is to recreate these extinct species that played really important roles in ecosystems that are missing because they've become extinct” ([09:18] Rob Stein). Colossal Biosciences founder Ben Land emphasizes the broader conservation implications, suggesting that the technologies developed could aid in preventing further extinctions by providing new tools and methods for conservation: “Current conservation models work. They just don’t work at the speed” ([09:51] Rob Stein).

Future Prospects: From Mice to Mammoths

Looking ahead, Colossal Biosciences aims to produce mammoth-like Asian elephant embryos by next year, with hopes of birthing the first genetically modified calves by 2028 ([10:01] Rob Stein). This timeline underscores the project's ambitious nature and the rapid advancements in genetic engineering techniques.

Conclusion: A Science Fiction Becoming Reality

The episode wraps up with Regina Barber reflecting on the profound implications of this research. The endeavor to revive the woolly mammoth using mice as genetic models represents a fascinating intersection of genetics, conservation, and ethical considerations. As Colossal Biosciences progresses, the scientific community and the public alike will be closely watching to balance the promises of restoration with the responsibilities of ecological stewardship.

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Stein [00:37]: “I'm here this time to talk about little fuzzy, squeaky animals… Woolly mice.”
• Beth Shapiro [04:04]: “We ask, where are all of the mammoths? The same as each other, but different from an elephant…”
• Beth Shapiro [05:00]: “With a mouse model, we can really rapidly test these hypotheses…”
• Rob Stein [06:07]: “One change gave the mice hair three times longer than usual…”
• Vincent Lynch: “A mouse is not an elephant.”
• Beth Shapiro [09:18]: “Our intention is to recreate these extinct species that played really important roles in ecosystems…”
• Ben Land: “Current conservation models work. They just don’t work at the speed…”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the episode's exploration of de-extinction efforts, highlighting both the scientific breakthroughs and the ethical debates surrounding the revival of the woolly mammoth through innovative genetic research.