Colossal Biosciences' Bold Plan: Bringing Mammoth-Like Elephants to Life

American company Colossal Biosciences has taken an unusual step toward its ambitious goal — to recreate animals resembling extinct mammoths. Scientists began with the genetic modification of mice, giving them long, golden fur reminiscent of the hair of ancient giants. But the ultimate goal is much grander: to create elephants capable of surviving in the Arctic cold. How realistic is this plan and what do experts think about it?

Colossal Furry Mice: The First Step Towards Mammoths

The project began with DNA analysis. Scientists compared the genomes of the mammoth and its closest living relative — the Asian elephant. They identified the genes responsible for hair growth and fat metabolism, which helped mammoths survive the ice age. Then they found these genes in the DNA of laboratory mice and modified them using genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR. The result was mice with dense, golden fur, which Colossal Biosciences dubbed “colossal furry mice”. However, the experiment did not affect the rodents’ fat composition — it remained unchanged, raising questions about how such modifications would make the animals resistant to the cold. “This is a tiny step toward creating elephants that resemble mammoths,” the company says. According to Colossal Biosciences co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm, the first genetically modified elephant calf is expected to appear by the end of 2028. For this, the embryo must be prepared by 2026.

The Grand Goal: Elephants in the Arctic

Why is all this necessary? Scientists hope that elephants with mammoth-like features — dense fur and frost resistance — will be able to live in the Arctic tundra. There, they will help strengthen the vegetation by trampling the soil and slowing the thawing of permafrost. This, in turn, will help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and slow climate change. “We want to create an entire population of cold-adapted elephants that can live in the wild and reproduce,” Lamm told the BBC in an interview. In addition to mammoths, the company dreams of resurrecting other extinct species: the Tasmanian wolf and the dodo.

Scientists' Skepticism: A Mammoth or Just an Elephant with Fur?

Despite the bold claims and success with mice, many experts doubt the feasibility of the project. Here are the main arguments of the critics:

• This is not a resurrection of the mammoth. Christopher Preston, an environmental specialist from the University of Montana, emphasizes that even if fur is added to elephants, they will remain Asian elephants with modifications, not true mammoths. “De-extinction is not about resurrecting an extinct species,” he says.
• Lack of knowledge. Paleontologist Tori Harridge from the University of Sheffield points out that elephant genetics are much less understood than mouse genetics. Editing the genes of large mammals is more challenging, and data on mammoths is still insufficient.
• Ethical concerns. The Asian elephant is an endangered species. Its use in experiments raises questions about the humanity and appropriateness of the project.
• The practical value is in question. Helen Wallace from GeneWatch believes that the experiment with mice is more of a publicity stunt than a serious scientific breakthrough. “It’s more about attracting attention than real benefit,” she asserts.

Technological Progress: Hope for Medicine and Genetics

Despite the criticism, some scientists acknowledge that Colossal Biosciences’ methods are impressive. Biologist Vincent Lynch from the University of Buffalo calls the experiment “technologically cool.” Geneticist Saad Arif from Oxford Brooks adds that gene editing technologies could be applied in medicine — for example, for treating complex genetic diseases in humans. Professor Duško Ilić from King’s College London also praises the company’s approach: “This is a significant milestone in genetic engineering. The strategy of fine-tuning genes associated with hair may prove useful in other fields.”

Investments and Ambitions

Colossal Biosciences is actively raising funds for its projects. In January 2025, the company was valued at $10.2 billion, and the total amount of investments reached $435 million. Among the sponsors are celebrities such as Paris Hilton and director Peter Jackson. This indicates that belief in the project’s success exists not only among scientists but also in the business world.

Is the Plan Realistic?

So, what do we have? On the one hand, Colossal Biosciences demonstrates impressive achievements in genetic engineering: the furry mice are evidence of their capabilities. On the other hand, the path from a mouse to an elephant resembling a mammoth is full of obstacles:

• Technical challenges. Modifying elephant genes is a task far more complex than working with mice.
• Ecological risks. It is unclear how such elephants would affect the Arctic ecosystem.
• Ethics. Experiments with an endangered species spark controversy.

It is unlikely that we will see true mammoths, but elephants with fur could very well appear. However, even if this happens, their creation is unlikely to be a “resurrection” of an extinct species, but rather a demonstration of the potential of genetics. The reality of the project depends on whether scientists can overcome the scientific and ethical barriers. For now, the furry mice remain a curious, but only a first step on this journey.