Inevitable De-Extinction as a Platform Business with Colossal Biosciences
Sep 23, 2025
Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, discusses groundbreaking work in de-extinction, raising over $400 million to revive species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf. The conversation dives into the ethical implications and environmental impact of rewilding extinct species. Lamm explains how synthetic biology and AI are revolutionizing this field. He also shares insights on Colossal’s multifaceted business model and addresses polarized public reactions to their ambitious mission. Discover the fascinating intersection of science, technology, and conservation!
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Media Reaction Defied Expectations
- Ben recounts public reaction to the direwolf debut, predicting heavy negativity but receiving mostly positive coverage.
- He notes the launch produced massive media impressions and far more positive sentiment than expected.
How They Choose Which Species To Work On
- Species selection weighed genetics, cultural significance, ecological benefit, and indigenous partnership.
- Direwolves checked boxes: viable DNA, tribal interest, red-wolf conservation relevance, and public education value.
Genetic Distance Determines Technical Complexity
- Genetic distance to a living relative shapes technical difficulty and timeline.
- Mammoth-to-elephant editing is simpler than dodo or thylacine projects because of nearer genetic similarity.
