Latest news with #Lamm
The South African
3 days ago
- Science
- The South African
Colossal Biosciences' mission to reawaken Earth's lost wilds
Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, recently shared insights in a lively interview on the TechStuff podcast, hosted by Oz Woloshyn. The Dallas-based biotech firm is making headlines with its bold mission to resurrect extinct species. This included the dire wolf and woolly mammoth through pioneering genetic engineering. Lamm addressed the ethical debates head-on. When accused of 'playing God,' he fired back, 'We play God every day. Taking cholesterol medication is playing God on a personal level. Cutting down rainforests or overfishing oceans is playing God. So why not do it in a way that helps conservation and inspires science?' His frankness cuts through the noise, positioning Colossal's work as a natural extension of humanity's ongoing impact on nature. The company's first breakthrough came with the dire wolf. Lamm described the moment he saw the pups at five weeks old as deeply emotional. 'I got chills bumps. I teared up. It's very, very emotional.' The viral video of the dire wolf pups howling even moved Peter Jackson. The Lord of the Rings director and Colossal investor, was 'overwhelmed' seeing them for the first time, according to Time Magazine. Colossal's approach is rigorous and ethical. Lamm emphasised their 90 %+ efficiency in genome editing, achieved without unintended side effects. 'We read the DNA at every step. It's computationally heavy and costly, but we ensure every embryo is healthy. We're certified by the American Humane Society because we care about animal welfare and conservation,' he said. The company also sparked public fascination with its 'woolly mice' — a genetically engineered mouse with mammoth traits created in just one month. Lamm joked that the mice 'were objectively cute and took the Internet by storm,' proving their process works. He confirmed that similar edits have been made in Asian elephant cells. This is the closest living relative of the woolly mammoth, with hopes to bring a mammoth equivalent to term soon. Lamm called out what he sees as hypocrisy in popular culture. 'People love Jurassic Park's dinosaurs but don't want to call our dire wolves dire wolves. It's a semantic question, not scientific. It's a human construct.' This highlights the cultural challenges Colossal faces in gaining acceptance for de-extinction. With half the world's species forecasted to be extinct or endangered within 25 years, Lamm's vision offers hope through technology. His mission goes beyond spectacle; it aims to restore ecosystems and inspire new generations in science and conservation. Colossal Biosciences is reshaping how we think about nature, responsibility, and the future of biodiversity. As Lamm puts it, 'Sometimes when you work on new things, it's scary and hard. But I'm not backing off the mission.' This pioneering blend of cutting-edge science and bold vision could soon change the natural world Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Time Business News
25-04-2025
- Science
- Time Business News
Dire Wolf DNA Unlocks New Conservation Pathways Through Colossal's Work
The resurrection of the dire wolf by Colossal Biosciences represents not only a remarkable achievement in de-extinction but also a significant advancement in conservation methodology that could benefit numerous endangered species. The genetic techniques, reproductive technologies, and conservation approaches developed through the dire wolf program establish new pathways for preserving and potentially restoring biodiversity in an era of accelerating extinction. Central to these conservation applications is Colossal's deliberate strategy of pairing de-extinction work with parallel efforts focused on endangered species. As Ben Lamm, the company's CEO and co-founder, has emphasized, 'We try to pair every animal de-extinction event with a species preservation event.' This approach acknowledges that de-extinction technologies must demonstrate practical conservation benefits to justify their development, establishing an ethical framework that connects the resurrection of lost species with preservation of existing ones. The most direct conservation application emerging from the dire wolf program involves North American red wolves. This critically endangered species now numbers fewer than 25 individuals in the wild, facing imminent extinction despite decades of traditional conservation efforts. Using technologies developed through their de-extinction work, Colossal has successfully cloned several red wolves from different genetic founder lines. This achievement has 'already increased the genetic pool of red wolves by 25 percent,' according to Lamm, potentially offering a lifeline to a species that has been hovering on the edge of extinction. The specialized cell collection methodology refined during the dire wolf program has particular relevance for endangered species conservation. Rather than using invasive tissue sampling techniques that can stress already vulnerable animals, Colossal developed a method for harvesting endothelial progenitor cells from bloodstreams. This minimally invasive approach provides viable cells for genetic analysis and potential cloning while minimizing disruption to donor animals. For critically endangered species where every individual is precious, this reduced-stress collection method offers significant welfare advantages over traditional tissue sampling. Genetic diversity management—a critical challenge for small populations of endangered wildlife—represents another area where dire wolf technologies have conservation applications. The computational modeling techniques developed to predict how genetic modifications would express in living dire wolves can be adapted to identify which genetic interventions might most effectively increase population viability in endangered species with minimal disruption to adapted traits. This predictive capability could help wildlife managers make more informed decisions about genetic rescue interventions for inbred populations facing extinction vortexes. The reproductive technologies refined through the dire wolf program offer particular promise for species facing fertility challenges. The successful birth of dire wolves through surrogate mothers from a different species demonstrates the viability of cross-species surrogacy for endangered canids and potentially other taxonomic groups. This approach is valuable for species with minimal populations where natural reproduction is limited by geographical isolation or behavioral factors. The comprehensive pre-implantation genetic screening protocols developed for dire wolf embryos could similarly aid in optimizing genetic outcomes in captive breeding programs for endangered wildlife. Climate adaptation represents another area where dire wolf methodologies may assist contemporary conservation. The genetic modifications that recreated dire wolf traits effectively compressed thousands of years of evolution into a single generation. Similar targeted modifications—guided by appropriate ethical frameworks and ecological considerations—could potentially help vulnerable species adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions that outpace natural evolutionary processes. This approach raises profound ethical questions but may become increasingly relevant as climate change accelerates beyond the adaptive capacity of many species. Disease resistance enhancement provides another potential conservation application. Many endangered species face threats from novel pathogens or diseases that spread through fragmented populations with limited genetic diversity. The precise genetic modification techniques developed for the resurrection of dire wolves could be adapted to enhance disease resistance in vulnerable populations without compromising overall genetic integrity. This targeted approach offers advantages over conventional breeding strategies that often require multiple generations to achieve similar results, time that critically endangered species may not have. Indigenous partnerships established through the dire wolf program offer valuable models for contemporary conservation. Colossal has engaged with several tribal nation,s including the MHA Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Karankawa Tribe of Texa,s to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into both de-extinction and conservation work. These collaborative approaches demonstrate how scientific methodologies and indigenous knowledge systems can complement each other in developing more holistic and culturally responsive conservation strategies for contemporary wildlife. The funding model developed for dire wolf de-extinction may prove as significant for conservation as any specific technology. Colossal has raised over $435 million since its founding in 2021, demonstrating that ambitious approaches to biodiversity can attract substantial capital investment. The company's success in positioning genetic interventions as both technological frontiers and conservation tools suggests potential pathways for endangered species programs to access funding sources beyond traditional conservation grants and donations, potentially transforming conservation finance for particularly challenging cases. Public engagement strategies developed through the dire wolf program demonstrate how charismatic species can generate interest in broader biodiversity issues. By connecting the dire wolf resurrection to popular culture references, particularly through George R.R. Martin's involvement as a cultural advisor, Colossal has created multiple entry points for public engagement with scientific concepts. Conservation organizations working with less famous endangered species could potentially adapt these narrative approaches to generate greater support for their work. For Martin, whose writings helped reintroduce dire wolves to popular consciousness before their physical resurrection, the conservation implications represent a significant outcome. As a Cultural Advisor to Colossal, Martin has written in his personal blog about the responsibility that accompanies humanity's growing capacity to shape biodiversity outcomes, connecting storytelling to both scientific advancement and conservation ethics. The ultimate conservation pathway unlocked by dire wolf DNA may be a fundamental shift in how humanity approaches extinction itself. By demonstrating that extinction can potentially be reversed through targeted intervention, Colossal challenges the conservation community to consider more active approaches to biodiversity preservation and restoration. This paradigm shift suggests that extinction may increasingly become a choice rather than an inevitability for species threatened by human activities and environmental change—a perspective that could transform conservation from a discipline focused primarily on minimizing losses to one that is equally engaged in actively restoring what has been lost. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Business News
25-04-2025
- Science
- Time Business News
Why Ben Lamm Chose Dire Wolves As Colossal's First De-extinction Target
When Colossal Biosciences launched in 2021, co-founders Ben Lamm and George Church announced their ambitious goal of resurrecting the woolly mammoth. These iconic Ice Age species disappeared approximately 4,000 years ago. This initial focus generated substantial public interest and helped secure the company's first funding round of $15 million. Yet, less than four years later, Colossal's first successful de-extinction involved not the mammoth but the dire wolf—a species that had received comparatively little attention in the company's early communications. This strategic pivot reveals much about Lamm's decision-making process and the complex factors that shape de-extinction priorities beyond public visibility. Indigenous perspectives played a significant role in this shift. According to Lamm, conversations with tribal representatives provided a compelling rationale for prioritizing the dire wolf. 'This project came from our conversations with indigenous people groups,' Lamm explained in a recent interview. 'Some of the largest tribes in the United States started talking to us about wolf conservation and the Great Wolf, and one of the chairmen said that his people believe that the dire wolf was the Great Wolf.' This cultural connection provided a meaningful context beyond purely scientific considerations, acknowledging the symbolic and spiritual significance of wolves in many Native American traditions. The same tribal chairman raised another consideration that resonated with Lamm: '[he said] it was sad that the first animal [Colossal] brought back wasn't an American species.' This observation highlighted a geographical dimension to de-extinction priorities that extended beyond technical feasibility to include cultural and historical significance. As an American company with substantial U.S.-based operations, prioritizing a species with deep roots in North American ecosystems aligned with both Colossal's identity and its relationships with indigenous communities. Technical feasibility likely played a significant role in the decision. While both the woolly mammoth and dire wolf present substantial genetic challenges, the dire wolf offered several practical advantages as a first target. As a canid closely related to modern gray wolves (sharing approximately 99.5% genetic similarity), the dire wolf required fewer genetic modifications than the mammoth, which would need more extensive engineering of elephant cells. The availability of well-preserved dire wolf specimens from the La Brea Tar Pits provided exceptional source material for ancient DNA extraction—an important consideration given the fragmentary nature of most paleogenetic evidence. Reproductive considerations almost certainly influenced the decision as well. Successful de-extinction requires not only genetic engineering but also viable surrogacy options for embryo development. Wolf gestation periods last approximately 63 days, compared to the 22-month pregnancy of elephants, the closest living relatives to mammoths. This shorter reproductive timeline allows much faster iteration and validation of the overall de-extinction process. Additionally, domestic dog surrogates for dire wolf embryos presented fewer logistical challenges than securing elephant surrogates for mammoth embryos, streamlining the path from conception to birth. The extinction timeframe represents another factor favoring dire wolves. Having disappeared approximately 12,500 years ago, dire wolves existed significantly more recently than woolly mammoths, with the most recent mammoth populations surviving until about 4,000 years ago. This more recent extinction means dire wolf DNA has undergone less degradation over time, potentially providing more complete genetic information for the resurrection process. The temporal proximity also means dire wolves evolved in ecosystems more similar to contemporary ones than those inhabited by mammoths, potentially simplifying considerations about their ecological compatibility with modern landscapes. Size and management considerations likely also factored into the decision. While still larger than modern gray wolves, dire wolves present substantially fewer housing and handling challenges than woolly mammoths would. Colossal's secure 2,000-acre facility can reasonably accommodate dire wolves throughout their lifespans, while mammoths would eventually require much more extensive space and infrastructure. This practical consideration enables a more comprehensive study of the first de-extincted species without necessitating immediate decisions about potential rewilding or alternative management approaches. The parallel opportunity for endangered species conservation also has influenced Lamm's decision. By working with canid genetics, Colossal could simultaneously develop technologies applicable to critically endangered wolf species, particularly North American red wolves. This alignment created the opportunity to pair de-extinction with immediate conservation impact, supporting Lamm's stated philosophy that 'We try to pair every animal de-extinction event with a species preservation event.' The successful cloning of red wolves alongside the dire wolf resurrection demonstrates the practical implementation of this parallel approach. Cultural visibility likely played a role as well, though perhaps in unexpected ways. While woolly mammoths maintain higher general name recognition, dire wolves gained substantial cultural prominence through George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series and the subsequent HBO adaptation, 'Game of Thrones.' This visibility created a built-in audience interested in the species' resurrection while also providing an opportunity to distinguish scientific reality from fictional portrayal. Martin's subsequent involvement as a Cultural Advisor to Colossal further strengthened this connection, potentially influencing the prioritization decision. Timeline considerations likely factored into Lamm's strategic thinking as well. As a serial entrepreneur with experience building and scaling multiple companies, Lamm understands the importance of demonstrating proof of concept within timeframes meaningful to investors and other stakeholders. The relative simplicity of dire wolf de-extinction compared to mammoth resurrection allowed Colossal to demonstrate success more quickly, validating their technological approach and potentially accelerating future funding rounds for more complex targets. This strategic sequencing optimizes both scientific progress and business development—a balance Lamm has navigated successfully across multiple ventures. The decision ultimately reflects Lamm's multidimensional approach to prioritization that extends beyond technical considerations to include cultural significance, indigenous perspectives, conservation applications, and strategic timing. By selecting dire wolves as Colossal's first de-extinction target, Lamm created a path that balanced feasibility with meaning, scientific advancement with cultural relevance, and technological validation with conservation impact. This holistic decision-making process suggests that future de-extinction priorities will likewise reflect considerations beyond pure scientific interest or technical capability. For George R.R. Martin, whose writings helped elevate dire wolves in popular consciousness, the decision carries particular significance. In reflections shared on his blog, Martin has expressed both wonder at seeing creatures he featured in fiction return to physical existence and appreciation for the multifaceted considerations that guided the resurrection process. This convergence of literary imagination, scientific capability, and thoughtful prioritization demonstrates how de-extinction decisions encompass considerations far broader than technological feasibility alone. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
More extinct species will be engineered: Ben Lamm
(NewsNation) — There will be no more dinosaurs. Despite groundbreaking science from Colossal Biosciences to generate the previously extinct dire wolves, its CEO and co-founder assures Americans he won't be recreating 'Jurassic Park.' 'We get the dinosaur question all the time, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you feel, there is no dino DNA, and there's also not megalodon DNA,' Ben Lamm told 'Elizabeth Vargas Reports.' 'Right now, the oldest DNA we use is about 1.2 million years old, which is some of our mammoth and step-mammoth DNA. So don't worry about dinosaurs. It's not possible to bring back dino DNA that went extinct 65 million years ago.' Bird species once only found in captivity lays first wild eggs in 40 years The dire wolves — Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi — currently live in a secure, undisclosed 'ecological preserve' in the northern United States and are monitored 24 hours a day. They have a 10-person care team in addition to a security team. The triumvirate may be welcoming some new members into the pack in the future. Lamm says this will occur via engineering as opposed to reproduction. More T. rex fossils being sold to private collectors: Study Recreating animals of the past will extend beyond wolves, with the company looking to revive the dodo, mammoth and Tasmanian tiger, among others. 'Our goal with a lot of our species … is to reintroduce those species back into the wild in collaboration with indigenous people groups, private landowners and the government,' Lamm said. 'So we actually are working with one very large indigenous people group that would love to have dire wolves back on their sovereign land, but it's just a very long process.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Leading doctor reveals the five key signs of colon cancer amid 'alarming rise' in Gen Z and Millennials being diagnosed
A leading doctor has warned of the five key signs of colon cancer, amid the 'alarming rise' of cases among Gen Z and Millennials. Internal medicine specialist Dr Zion Ko Lamm urged young people to look out for the hidden symptoms of the deadly disease and told them not be complacent. 'Colon cancer doesn't just happen to "old people"—rates are rising in young adults,' she warned. Over the last 30 years, young diagnoses of the disease have shot up by 80 per cent across the globe, research suggests. In contrast, rates of the disease in older groups, who are statistically more likely to get the disease overall, have either declined or remained stable to the same period. Now, young people need to keep an eye out for five key warning signs of the disease, said Dr Lamm. The fifth symptom, she told her nearly 900,000 Instagram followers, is any change in bowel habits. 'This looks like persistent change over a few weeks where the stool is looser or harder than normal, thinner or narrower,' she explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zion Ko Lamm, M.D. (고시온) (@ Suddenly needing to go to the loo with more urgency and feeling more pressure when defecating can also be a concerning sign. And stools changing caliber—going from normal to pencil thin—can indicate a blockage in the colon. The fourth symptom to watch out for is an unexplained iron deficiency. Anemia, or iron deficiency, can be an early warning sign of colon cancer. It's caused when a cancerous tumour in the colon starts to bleed. This in turn reduces the levels of red blood cells in the body, and lowers its hemoglobin levels, which is needed to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness and a rapid heartbeat. Studies suggest that more than a third of people with cancer will develop anemia at some point. The third sign of colon cancer highlighted by Dr Lamm is blood in the stool. Bowel cancer can cause you to have blood in your poo, a change in bowel habit, a lump inside your bowel which can cause an obstructions. Some people also suffer with weight loss a s a result of these symptoms 'Blood in stool is never normal. You need to get it checked out,' she urged. Colon cancer can cause blood in the stool when cancerous tumours bleed into the digestive tract. Blood can sometimes be seen in the stool as a bright red, dark red or black colour, and can make the stool itself a darker, tarry shade. In early stages, it can also be present in such small amounts as to be naked to the human eye and only detectable through stool tests. Blood in stool does not always indicate colon cancer, however. Other conditions like haemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome and anal fissures can also cause the symptom. The second symptom of colon cancer in young people is unintentional weight loss, Dr Lamm added. Losing weight without trying is not normal, and could be a sign of the disease, she explained. Unintentional weight loss can indicate a range of different cancers. It can be caused when cancer cells and the body's reaction to them alters the metabolism, creating a loss of both fat and muscle. Cancerous growths release what's known as cytokines - chemicals that increase inflammation, leading to a faster metabolism and calorie burn. Cancer cells also consume a significant amount of energy, causing the body to burn more calories at rest to support this increased demand. Finally, the number one sign of colon cancer is persistent abdominal pain, says Dr Lamm. 'Whether it's bloating, getting full fast, or crampy abdominal pain, if it's a new symptom that persists more than four weeks, you want to get it checked out,' she said. Pain or cramping in the same place of the abdomen is particularly concerning. The pain can be constant, or become more pronounced after eating. 'The advice I have for everyone listening is don't be afraid to talk about your poop, or look at your poop. We all should,' added Dr Lamm. MailOnline has repeatedly documented the global rise of colon cancer among young people. Perhaps the most recognisable victim of the trend is Deborah James — known as 'bowel babe' — who was diagnosed at just 35 and raised millions for charity in her final days in 2022. James spoke of her rigorous exercise routine, and being in the best shape of her life when she developed the illness. Another example of seemingly fit and health women being hit by the disease was Zu Rafalat, of Finsbury Park, London, who died in 2020 aged 39. The super-fit globetrotter initially thought she had caught a stomach bug in Central America where she went on holiday in December 2018. But two weeks later, her stomach had become so swollen she was wearing maternity jeans, and even her GP asked if she was pregnant before prescribing IBS pills. After getting the opinion of a second, private doctor, Ms Rafalat was given CT scans which spotted a mass on her right ovary. It later turned out to be stage four bowel cancer which had spread to other organs. Ms Rafalat, who was managing director of a consultancy agency, said at the time: 'I've been fit and healthy for my entire life. I never dreamed I could get bowel cancer at my age.'
