The colossal moa, a bird that once overshadowed humans, prove to be more challenging to resurrect from extinction compared to dire wolves.
In an ambitious project, biotech company Colossal Biosciences, in collaboration with filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson, Indigenous partners, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, and the University of Canterbury, aim to de-extinct the South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) and other moa species.
The project, which combines traditional Māori knowledge, wildlife conservation, and genetic engineering-driven de-extinction, faces several significant challenges.
Firstly, the moa is most closely related to the tinamou, a small flying bird in South America, with a common ancestor dating back about 60 million years. This deep evolutionary distance means that many mutations in genes controlling moa traits have occurred, making it challenging to re-engineer these traits. The process involves understanding and replicating the genetic changes that led to the moa's unique features, such as large body size and lack of wings, which is a complex task.
Secondly, the moa's large eggs, which were significantly bigger than those of potential surrogate birds like emus, pose a problem. An emu's egg is not large enough to house a developing moa chick, necessitating the development of artificial surrogate egg technology. This technology does not yet exist, and its development is a major hurdle in the de-extinction process.
Thirdly, Colossal Biosciences plans to sequence and rebuild the genomes of all nine extinct moa species and their closest living relatives. This requires high-quality genomes, which can be difficult to obtain from ancient DNA. The company must identify suitable surrogate species and make genetic changes to create birds with moa traits, which involves selecting both male and female surrogates to carry the modified sperm and eggs.
Fourthly, critics question the feasibility and ethics of de-extinction, worrying about the potential impacts on ecosystems and the welfare of the recreated animals. The project aims to be a Māori-led initiative, emphasizing conservation and community involvement, which adds social and cultural dimensions to the challenges.
Despite these challenges, Colossal Biosciences is certified by the American Humane Society, and animal welfare is a priority in their work. The company thoroughly evaluates health risks of any proposed edit before selecting them for their final list of edits.
The company's previous attempt to resurrect dire wolves, a species that went extinct more than 10,000 years ago, has also been met with scientific criticism. However, the moa de-extinction plan involves sequencing and rebuilding the genomes of all nine extinct moa species and their closest living relatives, offering a unique opportunity to understand the evolutionary history of these fascinating birds.
Details on the specific surrogate species selection and the artificial egg incubation process are limited, but the project promises to push the boundaries of what is possible in genetic engineering and wildlife conservation. The de-extinction of the South Island giant moa is a highly complex project that requires significant advances in genetic engineering, surrogate technology, and ethical considerations.
The de-extinction project of the South Island giant moa faces challenges not only in reproducing its unique traits through genetic engineering but also in developing artificial surrogate egg technology, as the current technology does not exist and the moa's large eggs are too big for emu surrogates. This project, with its complexities, highlights the intersection of science, technology, and general news, igniting debates about medical-conditions (health risks) and lifestyle (animal welfare) implications in the context of de-extinction.
