Should we mess with nature?
Summary
This episode explores the controversial science of de-extinction, featuring Colossal Biosciences’ efforts to resurrect woolly mammoths using gene-edited mice. Host Amy Scott interviews CEO Ben Lamb about the technology’s potential to combat the sixth mass extinction. Journalist Elizabeth Colbert offers a skeptical perspective, warning against the hubris of trying to engineer nature back to a pre-human state.
Topics discussed
Sponsor message from Climatize
Introduction to de-extinction and Chip and Dale the mice
Ben Lamb explains the science behind mammoth gene editing
Episode overview: Should we mess with nature?
Tour of Colossal Labs: Mammoth and Dodo projects
Ben Lamb on the business case and conservation goals
Ethical questions and ecological challenges of de-extinction
Sponsor message from Climatize
Elizabeth Colbert critiques de-extinction and shares the pupfish story
Discussion on geoengineering and solar radiation management
The illusion of restoring nature and the danger of hubris
Credits and closing sponsor message
Listen ad-free on Castria