Scientists Started Working on Reviving the Extinct Bird Dodo
Scientists started
working on reviving the extinct bird in the 17th century. A billion dollar
company believes that extinct species can be brought back to life using gene
editing techniques. According to a release from Colossal Biosciences, the
flightless bird called the dodo, which became extinct in the 17th century, may
be making some progress towards its recovery.
Huge amount of money
allocated for the rebirth of the extinct bird Dodo. A company has raised $150
million to revive the extinct dodo bird. The company called Colossal
Biosciences has created a genetics department that will bring both experts back
to the fore thanks to cutting-edge technology. Among them was a bird named dodo
which was hunted and wiped out by humans. The last dodo was killed by humans on
the island of Mauritius in 1681. Colossal Biosciences, however, has raised
another $150 million, taking its existing investment to $225 million.
According to The
Guardian, gene-editing techniques now exist that allow scientists to mine the
genome of the dodo, a Mauritian bird last seen in the 17th century, for what
they believe are traits can be effectively reintroduced into the body of a
living relative. Dodos are most closely related to pigeons, according to genome
sequencing of dead birds.
The scientists of
Colossal Bioscience have discovered the complete genome of the dodo and begun
work on a project to use stem cell technology to revive a bird that went
extinct 350 years ago. Scientists at Colossal Biosciences said their work could
provide insight into the existence of the endangered dodo and help save rare
species that are not yet extinct. However, there is a fierce debate among
biologists as to whether this type of research should be pursued or not.
Dodo bones and stuffed
birds still exist in the world and its complete genome has been read. Attempts
will then be made to breed it in a nearby bird, including a 'Nicobar Islands
Pigeon'. Company scientist Dr. Beth Shapiro says they have been researching the
dodo for two decades. The dodo weighed between 10 and 15 kg and was up to one
meter in length and was flightless.
In the first phase, the genetic differences between the Nicobar pigeon and the dodo will be explored. This will reveal the genes that made the dodo the dodo. Then perhaps the pigeon gene would be modified to bring it closer to the cells of the dodo. This would probably involve making eggs from cells and growing them inside another bird. These include common chickens and pigeons. However, even then it will not be possible to make a 100% copy of Dodo.
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