01/06/2026
β¨ The next animal in the Famous Animals and Insects of Science 3.0 series is the Woolly Mouse! π Project launches on January 22, follow via my π!
π Woolly mouse, is that like a woolly mammoth? Well, the team at Colossal Biosciences genetically modified these mice to express fluffy, woolly coats in addition to modifications to their cold tolerance and metabolism. Colossal claims this project was the proof of concept for their woolly mammoth de-extinction program which they propose could mitigate climate change. Their plan is to produce a genetically modified elephant by 2028, though their 'direwolf' controversy has had people second-guessing their intentions behind the science. On the woolly mice, the CEO had this to say, βBesides the adorability factor β we did not factor in how cute they would be β now we have produced healthy living animals that have the exact phenotypes that we predicted, based on using ancient DNA and computational analysis in genome engineeringβ. They have no intention of selling the woolly mice and that they are focused on their de-extinction research. π¬
