A biotechnology and genetic engineering company has set its sights on bringing an extinct South African animal back to life.
Colossal Biosciences is a Dallas, Texas-based company that focuses on de-extinction and endangered species conservation. Last year, they made waves when they announced the birth of three dire wolf pups.
Following the burgeoning restoration of this wolf species, Colossal is looking to revive an animal of South African origin: the bluebuck.
BLUEBUCK WIPEOUT
The bluebuck (Hippotragus leucophaeus), also known as the blue antelope, inhabited the coastal grasslands of the southwestern Cape region.
Named for its silvery-blue hide, the bluebuck stood 1.2 metres at the shoulder. A pair of backward-curving, ringed black horns – measuring approximately 56.5 centimetres in length – adorned its head.
Once a thriving species, they were hunted to extinction by European settlers. By the year 1800, they had been completely wiped out.
BLUEBUCK PROJECT ALREADY UNDERWAY
According to Colossal, they are already two years into the “Bluebuck Project”. During this time, they have already made huge progress in achieving “several foundational steps in its genetic engineering pipeline.”
“The team sourced the primary bluebuck DNA from a mounted skin specimen – taken from a young male – held at the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm,” per a recent news release. “That specimen provided the genetic baseline needed to begin comparative genomic analysis.”
Now, Colossal is in the genome-editing phase. During this phase, the team is introducing key bluebuck edits and genes into cells belonging to the roan antelope (the bluebuck’s closest living relative).
“After finishing the various edits,” the statement reads, “the next step will be to use the edited cells to create an embryo and move toward implantation. From there, gestation would take about nine months.”
A roan antelope will serve as the surrogate for this embryo.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OTHER ANIMALS
While some might accuse Colossal of playing God, others believe that the scientific techniques they employ to revive lost species, such as the bluebuck, form the backbone of conservation tool development.
In the case of antelope species, of which there are 90 alive today, one-third of these are threatened or near-threatened.
Through proper use of their techniques, Colossal potentially holds the key to protecting these antelope, among others, from dying out.
OTHER ANIMALS IN THE DE-EXTINCTION PIPELINE
In addition to the bluebuck and the dire wolf, Colossal is looking to de-extinct other notable animals. These include:
- Woolly mammoth
- Moa
- Dodo
- Thylacine
Naturally, at first glance, it’s easy to dismiss these species’ revivals as pipe dreams. However, with the reintroduction of the dire wolf and the promising return of the bluebuck, you can’t say that they are an impossibility.
What are your thoughts on bringing extinct animals back to life? Tell us in the comments below!
