The Moral Imperative of De-Extinction: Colossal CEO Ben Lamm's Vision

In a recent interview at SXSW, Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, passionately argued that humanity has a moral and ethical obligation to pursue de-extinction technologies. Colossal, a startup co-founded by Lamm and renowned geneticist George Church in 2023, aims to use genetic editing techniques to bring back extinct species, including the woolly mammoth, the dodo bird, and the Tasmanian tiger. 

Lamm emphasized that modern conservation efforts are not sufficient to address the environmental challenges we face today. He believes that de-extinction technology can serve as a crucial tool in reversing some of the damage caused by human activities. "I think that we have a moral obligation and an ethical obligation to pursue technologies [that] undo some of the things that we [as a species] have done," Lamm stated during the interview. 

Colossal's ambitious projects have garnered significant attention and investment. The company has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital and is currently valued at $10.2 billion. 

One of their high-profile projects involves developing a gene-edited "woolly mouse," a mouse species with mutations inspired by woolly mammoths. This project has validated Colossal's work on woolly mammoth research, demonstrating that their genetic edits are on the right track. 

Despite the excitement surrounding de-extinction, Lamm assured audiences that Colossal has no plans to create a real-life Jurassic Park. The company is focused on species for which there are usable sources of DNA, such as the woolly mammoth, dodo bird, and Tasmanian tiger. 

Colossal's goal is to reintroduce these species to their natural habitats, where they can contribute to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity. 

Lamm also highlighted the potential economic benefits of de-extinction. He believes that there are "billions of dollars" to be made from the "re-wilding" of species and carbon sequestration. 

By leveraging advances in synthetic biology, AI, and computing, Lamm envisions a future where de-extinction technologies can lead to groundbreaking solutions for environmental and health challenges, such as curing cancer, removing plastics from the oceans, and providing clean water. 

In conclusion, Ben Lamm's vision for de-extinction is not just about bringing back extinct species; it's about using cutting-edge technology to address some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. As Colossal continues to push the boundaries of genetic science, the world will be watching closely to see how these ambitious projects unfold. 

For more details, you can read the full article on TechCrunch here. 

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