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Colossal CEO Ben Lamm says humanity has a ‘moral obligation’ to pursuede-extinction tech
Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal, emphasizes humanity's moral duty to pursue de-extinction technologies at SXSW. Colossal aims to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth, dodo bird, and Tasmanian tiger using genetic editing. The company has secured significant venture capital funding and highlights potential benefits from synthetic biology for conservation and health advancements.
Key points
- Colossal aims to utilize genetic editing to revive extinct species, starting with woolly mammoths, dodo birds, and Tasmanian tigers.
- Lamm stresses a moral obligation to use technology for species revival as modern conservation methods fail.
- The company plans to produce hybrid woolly mammoth calves by 2028 for Arctic reintroduction.
- Colossal has raised hundreds of millions in venture capital, achieving a valuation of $10.2 billion.
- It has launched projects like the woolly mouse to test genetic edits related to mammoth traits.
- Lamm believes combining AI with synthetic biology will yield groundbreaking advancements.
- He anticipates 'longevity escape velocity' within 20 years, improving human life expectancy.
Why it matters
- The trend of synthetic biology aligns with current biotechnology advancements and ethical debates surrounding genetic editing.
- The concept of de-extinction is gaining attention as governments and organizations explore biodiversity restoration.
- Similar de-extinction projects, like those focused on the passenger pigeon, reflect public interest in reversing ecological impacts.
- In 2025, emerging IT trends regarding AI and biotechnology may enhance capabilities for species reintroduction and conservation.
Colossal's ambition to bring back extinct species through genetic engineering presents profound ethical and ecological implications, potentially redefining conservation and impacting future technological trends in biology and AI.