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Woolly Mice? Scientists Use CRISPR to Bring Mammoth Traits Back

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Mousey Mammoth

What if we crossed mammoths with mice? Colossal Biosciences genetically engineered a woolly mouse to find out.

  • Used CRISPR to edit 7 hair and fat genes

  • Woolly mice fur is 3x longer and thicker than normal

  • Proof of concept for recreating extinct traits

Fur modification are a major step towards Colossal Bioscience’s goal of reintroducing woolly mammoths by genetically editing modern Asian elephants. Though ethical and ecological considerations must be sorted before we see wandering woollies.

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