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The InGen scientists who created the fictional Jurassic Park and Jurassic World theme parks achieved incredible scientific breakthroughs and developed cutting-edge genetic tools. However, they used these tools to benefit themselves at the expense of the animals they created and the attendees who believed in a safe experience. While de-extinction science is exciting for blockbuster movies, its application in the real world may be questionable.
Decades after the release of Jurassic Park, the genetic tools depicted in the film have become a reality in labs thanks to scientists and companies like Colossal Biosciences. The hope is to learn from cautionary tales like Jurassic Park and use our knowledge of biology and genomics responsibly for the benefit of the entire ecosystem.
Colossal Biosciences has launched the Colossal Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing de-extinction tools for the conservation of endangered species in today’s world.
Colossal’s New Nonprofit Aimed at Protecting Endangered Species
Colossal is known for its ambitious projects to bring back extinct species like the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, and dodo. However, the foundation is also working on projects to protect current endangered species that exist in various biomes on our planet.
The Colossal Foundation has allocated $50 million in funding for initial projects focused on species like the vaquita, Sumatran rhinoceros, and ivory-billed woodpecker. Additionally, the foundation aims to support and expand biobanking efforts worldwide by combining preserved tissue samples with genetic sequencing.
Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm stated, “The Colossal Foundation aims to deliver our technology solutions to those who need them most. We want to accelerate the application of emerging technologies in conservation efforts and provide much-needed funding to modernize conservation tools.”
The vaquita, Sumatran rhinoceros, and ivory-billed woodpecker are critically endangered species. The Colossal Foundation aims to address the genetic challenges faced by these species through genetic sequencing and the development of a genetic rescue platform.
Colossal is also exploring the use of computer vision and machine learning tools to track and monitor endangered species like the vaquita without the need for physical tagging. These tools aim to address conservation challenges and prevent future extinctions.
The Colossal Foundation envisions a global network of biobanks that preserve biological materials and genetic information of endangered species. This distributed approach ensures that essential genetic data is accessible to conservationists worldwide.
While Colossal Biosciences focuses on resurrecting extinct species, the Colossal Foundation is dedicated to using these technologies to protect endangered species today and in the future.
Learn about the consequences of irresponsible de-extinction in Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, available from Universal Pictures.
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