Scientists have created a new animal species in a laboratory
- Scientists created a genetically modified rodent, the woolly mouse
- The American Colossal Biosciences are planning to bring back mammoths by genetic modification of Asian elephants
- Genetically modified mice have cold tolerance properties including woolly coat
- The researchers sequenced ancient mammoth DNA and then changed various genes in laboratory mice
- The aim of the research team is to make mice genetically mammothy
Ben Lamm, a Colossal bioscience The co -founder and CEO of a biotechnology company said the team has studied the genome of ancient mammoths and compared it with the Asian elephants to understand what they are different and have already begun to edit the cells of the latter. They have now received a new confirmation after creating genetically modified, healthy mice with cold tolerance properties, including woolly hair. « It doesn't accelerate anything but it's a huge point of validation » – said Lamm according to The Guardian.
This is how the woolly mice were created
THE Scientific American in turn calls attentionthat researchers have won an ancient mammoth DNA and sequenced from preserved skin, bones and hair to find out which genes control properties such as hair color and cold tolerance. Laboratory mice have changed the right genes and other modifications were made in the rodent genome.
In the research that has not yet undergone professional criticism, the team has a variety of genome -editing technique It is used to genetically modify fertilized mouse sections or embryonic mouse cells, injected into mouse memories and then planted in an animal that carries the fetus.
The team focused on redesigning nine genes related to the color, texture, length or pattern of the hair, and hair follicles. Most of these genes were selected because they were already known how they influence mice hair, and induced disorders are expected to result in physical properties similar to mammoths, such as golden hair.
Can woolly mammoths be resurrected? 52 thousand years ago an animal was able to extract a complete genome
Two of the genes targeted at mice were also found in the mammoths, which is believed to have contributed to the formation of woolly hair. The aim of the changes introduced by the researchers was precisely to make mouse gears mammoth -like.
The research team is one, also converted a gene found for mammothswhich is related to the fat metabolism of mice and could play a role in the adaptation to cold. During the work, different combinations of these genes were edited: with one technique they could make up to eight modifications in seven different genes at a time.
Although no puppies were born from many experiments, the mice born came to light with different combinations of typical hair types, including woolly hair, long hair and golden brown hair. However, their average body weight was similar, whether or not the genet of fat metabolism was modified.
« The efficiency of the edits was variable, but for many individuals, 100 percent was 100 percent for all edits they try, » said Beth Shapiro, Colossal's scientific leader. And Lamm has indicated that the team hopes to be able to do cold tolerance behavior in the coming months, the Guardian reported.
These interventions share scientists
Craig Callender, who, as a professor of philosophy at the University of California in San Diego, is predicting the ethics of science, this news will share scientists. « The fact that mice live and that the properties can be regulated with the genes modified by Colossal researchers) make it a potentially great tool for genetic engineering. « But if the mammoth is the end goal, it's a stunt, » because he thinks such a project has no original value, writes Scientific American.
According to the scientific magazine, Shapiro said, “Some people claim that our whole company is a stunt. We do not agree with respect, but we also want to point out the attention of our work to children, students and other members of the public who are inspired by the work we do to become scientists to think more about the impact of biological diversity and hope for the future.
However, this argument does not convince everyone. For example, Sue Lieberman, Vice -President of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is considered to be arrogance for such interventions. “I'm not against technology. I'm not saying that nature is perfect. But this is a huge waste of money – when nature conservation is dying due to lack of money – to make some strange animal that we can stare at. We should go beyond that, ”Scientific American quote.
