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Headline: It's A Woolly Mouse-moth! Scientists Bringing Back Extinct Beast Create Cute Critters
Caption: A team of scientists in the United States claims to have engineered a genetically modified mouse with traits from the long-extinct woolly mammoth. The so-called "Colossal Woolly Mouse" was developed by Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company based in Dallas, Texas. Using advanced genome-editing technology detailed in a pre-publication paper, the researchers say they have successfully modified seven genes to give the mice characteristics adapted for cold climates, including longer, denser, and curlier hair. Ben Lamm, co-founder and chief executive of Colossal, described the achievement as a "watershed moment" in the company's ambitious de-extinction programme. Colossal Biosciences aims to resurrect the woolly mammoth by genetically modifying the Asian elephant, its closest living relative. The company hopes to produce the first mammoth-like calf by 2028. For now though, the closest thing we have to these majestic beasts, which went extinct around 4,000 years ago, are these adorable little animals!
Keywords: Natural World,Genetically modified mouse,woolly mammoth traits,Colossal Biosciences,de-extinction,gene editing,genome modification,CRISPR,biotechnology,Dallas Texas,Asian elephant,woolly mammoth resurrection,mammoth-like mouse,cold climate adaptations,longer denser hair,FGF5 gene,keratin gene KRT27,fat metabolism gene FABP2,surrogate mice,embryonic stem cells,extinct species revival,conservation technology,ecosystem restoration,controversial science,scientific breakthrough,pre-publication research,peer review,genetic engineering ethics,South by Southwest (SXSW) festival,Ben Lamm,Joe Manganiello
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