## Jurassic Patent: Can Colossal Biosciences Own the Woolly Mammoth?
Colossal Biosciences, the Texas-based startup with the ambitious goal of resurrecting the woolly mammoth, isn’t just focused on de-extinction. According to a recent report from MIT Technology Review, the company is also pursuing a patent that could grant them exclusive rights to produce and market gene-edited elephants infused with ancient mammoth DNA.
This move, which Colossal itself acknowledges aligns with its identity as “the de-extinction company,” raises profound questions about intellectual property, ownership of altered lifeforms, and the ethical implications of bringing extinct species back from the brink.
The scope of the patent application remains somewhat unclear, but the implications are significant. If granted, Colossal could potentially control the production, distribution, and even research surrounding elephants engineered to possess characteristics of the long-extinct woolly mammoth. This monopoly could stifle independent research and potentially hinder the broader scientific understanding of de-extinction processes.
The patent application reflects a growing trend within the biotechnology industry: the pursuit of intellectual property rights over genetically modified organisms. While patents are intended to incentivize innovation and protect investments, critics argue that such expansive claims could have detrimental consequences for scientific advancement and conservation efforts.
The debate over Colossal’s “Jurassic Patent” is sure to ignite further discussion about the appropriate role of intellectual property in the age of synthetic biology. Can a company truly “own” a creature pieced together from ancient DNA? And what responsibilities come with controlling the potential revival of an extinct species? These are questions that society will need to grapple with as the line between science fiction and reality continues to blur. The future of the woolly mammoth, it seems, may hinge not only on scientific breakthroughs but also on the complex legal landscape surrounding its very existence.