Could the Dodo Return From Extinction?
Scientists are one step closer to bringing back the dodo after creating gene-edited chickens that could lay eggs carrying the extinct bird.
A team at Colossal Biosciences in Texas has successfully created chickens that can lay “dodo” eggs with the insertion of reconstructed dodo DNA.
Colossal said the breakthrough “paves the way to create the world’s first dodos in nearly 300 years”.
The flightless, three-foot-tall dodo became extinct in the 17th century, 100 years after it was discovered on the island of Mauritius. It was hunted by humans and became prey for the dogs, cats and pigs that arrived with sailors.
Now Colossal is so confident that they can bring back the dodo that they are in talks with the government of Mauritius to find a suitable habitat.
Colossal has already claimed to have brought back the extinct dire wolf, and the firm is also planning to bring back the mammoth.
Vocabulary
gene-edited – having had genes or DNA altered using technology to change specific characteristics, “Scientists created gene-edited crops that can grow without much water.”
extinct – no longer existing or living anywhere on Earth, “Dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago.”
reconstructed – put back together or built again from pieces or data after being lost or destroyed, “The experts reconstructed the old vase from hundreds of broken shards.”
paves the way – creates a situation or makes it easier for something else to happen or develop in the future, “This new medical discovery paves the way for a cure to the disease.”
flightless – unable to fly, usually referring to certain birds or insects, “Penguins and ostriches are famous examples of flightless birds.”
became prey for – turned into food that is hunted and killed by another animal, “The small mice became prey for the hungry owls in the forest.”
suitable habitat – a natural environment or place that is perfectly right and safe for a specific animal or plant to live in, “The nature reserve provides a suitable habitat for wild bears.”