It’s been 4,000 years since the woolly mammoth went extinct, but Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences wants to change that. In 2022, it announced it had sequenced the genome of the Asian elephant, which shares 99.6% of its genes with the woolly mammoth. Combining that with DNA samples from mammoth remains could mean a rebirth of the species. The company hopes to work its “de-extinction” magic on other species, including the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger, and threatened species could be saved from extinction by editing more diversity into their genomes, making them more robust.
A weekly newsletter featuring conversations with the world’s top CEOs, managers, and founders. Join the Leadership Brief.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time