As a lifelong enthusiast of both science fiction and wildlife conservation, I can’t help but be thrilled by the innovative strides being made by Colossal Biosciences and their newly established Colossal Foundation. The idea of leveraging de-extinction technology to safeguard endangered species is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The scientists from InGen, who were responsible for constructing the fictional Jurassic Park and Jurassic World theme parks, made some truly groundbreaking scientific advancements and developed state-of-the-art genetic instruments. Instead of using these innovations to better society or protect the creatures they brought to life, they exploited both the animals and visitors who trusted their promise of a secure environment. While de-extinction science may be an effective plot device for blockbuster films, its application in reality could have potentially harmful consequences.
In the wake of “Jurassic Park” gracing the silver screen a few decades ago, the genetic technologies portrayed in the movie have found their way into real-world laboratories, thanks to a generation of scientists and companies such as Colossal Biosciences. The aim, ideally, is to employ narratives like “Jurassic Park” as warnings rather than instructions; to harness our evolving knowledge in biology and genomics prudently, ensuring the well-being of the entire ecological system.
For this purpose, Colossal Biosciences unveiled the Colossal Foundation – a fresh charitable entity committed to employing de-extinction technologies to aid the survival of currently endangered species.
For More on De-extinction:
Collaboration Between Colossal Biosciences and BioRescue Aims to Revive the Dodo; Exploring Possibilities of Bringing Back Other Extinct Species like Dire Wolves and Giant Sloths to Preserve Modern Wildlife
Colossal’s New Nonprofit Aimed at Protecting Endangered Species
Colossal often grabs headlines due to its ambitious efforts aimed at reviving extinct creatures such as the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, dodo and others. However, what is less frequently discussed are the practical applications for species that are still alive but critically endangered, living in various ecosystems across our planet.
The Colossal Foundation has declared a $50 million investment and some initial ventures centered on protecting the vaquita, Sumatran rhinoceros, and ivory-billed woodpecker – all critically endangered species. Beyond projects tailored for specific species, the foundation is also dedicated to strengthening and expanding global biobanking initiatives. This involves storing biological samples like tissue, coupled with extensive genetic sequencing on a broad scale.
As a gamer and the driving force behind The Colossal Foundation, I’m thrilled to share that we’ve embarked on this journey to bring our cutting-edge tech solutions to those who can truly make a difference. In a recent press release, I expressed that our foundation is not just about speeding up technology deployment worldwide but also about supporting conservation and modernizing tools. We aspire for a future where conservation isn’t just reactive, but proactive, innovative, and highly impactful, fueled by the application of emerging technologies.
13 or fewer vaquitas remain in existence, with approximately 80 Sumatran rhinos and the ivory-billed woodpecker last spotted in 2004. Although these species are not technically extinct (excepting possibly the ivory-billed woodpecker), their precarious state necessitates more than just preservation of the existing individuals. The Colossal Foundation can offer aid in this critical situation.
Matt James, Chief Animal Officer at Colossal and Executive Director of the Colossal Foundation, shared with SYFY WIRE that one intriguing aspect of our work is focusing on populations that have been significantly restricted or narrowed down. The challenge we often encounter is that although we can tackle the factors causing these species to be on the brink of extinction, the extreme limitation of these populations has led to inbreeding issues and genetic constraints.
Prioritizing the survival and protection of the remaining individuals is crucial, but our ultimate goal is to establish a thriving population once more. Achieving this requires reintroducing lost genetic variation. To achieve this objective, our foundation is constructing a Genetic Rescue Platform for these species. This platform involves mapping their DNA (genomes) and the genomes of related species to gain insights into population genetics. By identifying potential weaknesses in their genome, we can work towards strengthening them, ultimately contributing to their stability.
Beyond the use of lab genetics tools, there are other conservation issues that might benefit from innovative solutions. For example, the vaquita faces a unique predicament in its aquatic habitat, making it hard to locate and keep tabs on its populations, a challenge shared by marine, terrestrial, and airborne species as well. Given the vastness of our world and the small size of endangered populations, locating them before providing assistance is crucial.
James explained that they are developing a system for elephants which employs computer vision or machine learning techniques to teach an algorithm to identify elephants on the screen and eventually recognize individual ones. This would enable us to monitor animals as they move through space and time without the need for collaring or tagging. In essence, he’s describing a similar tool using bioacoustics to create distinct sounds for vaquitas that could be used to track individuals across different locations and periods of time. For those familiar with waveforms, this becomes another application of computer vision.
One method involves employing similar technologies to track down any surviving ivory-billed woodpeckers and numerous other species thought to be extinct. Not only does this aid in tackling today’s conservation issues, but the Colossal Foundation is also concerned with preventing future extinctions. Unlike traditional biobanking initiatives such as the Svalbard seed vault or the San Diego Frozen Zoo, which store biological materials for future use, Colossal aims to create a more extensive and dispersed system.
James explained that biobanking encompasses more than simply freezing tissues; it involves cryopreservation as well as genomic sequencing of endangered species. Essentially, we’re storing physical samples in a cryovault, but also creating digital copies. This genetic data is valuable not just to us, but to conservationists worldwide. Moreover, these biobanks would be distributed globally, ensuring that the preserved tissues remain in their native habitats rather than being concentrated in one location.
Colossal Biosciences primarily works towards reviving extinct species from the past, whereas the Colossal Foundation aims to apply similar techniques and technology to aid and preserve currently endangered species, as well as those that may face extinction in the future.
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2024-10-01 23:46