Harvard University conducts the most impressive experiments, projects, and studies of all time. One of the most exhilarating modern ideas of theirs is to enact the scenario in the original Jurassic Park. Well, maybe the real version won’t bring back ancient predators, but the broad idea is to resurrect the woolly mammoth. Even though this species disappeared from the face of the Earth around 10,000 years ago, modern technology can make them return with just a DNA sample. On top of that, Paypal founder wants to be a part of this experiment.
Russian Scientists Managed to Find Carcasses of Woolly Mammoth in Siberian Permafrost
Mammoths must have been the largest mammals that stampeded the Earth. Its length measured even 12 feet at the shoulder while its tusks were 15-feet long. On top of that, their fur could grow to 3-feet long.
Over the last century, Russian scientists managed to retrieve perfect carcasses of these beasts. These samples were preserved in almost perfect conditions inside Siberian permafrost. One of these discoveries preserved ideal samples of DNA which will constitute the core element in scientists’ endeavors to bring this species back to life.
Researchers Need Two More Years to Come Up with the Closest Replica They Can Get from This Ancient Species
The result of this challenging experiment will however not mirror an exact specimen of a woolly mammoth. Instead, it will be a replica close to the originals. Scientists are going to use the model of an Asian elephant to embed the DNA extract. They would need two more years to show a new beast to the world. Billionaire Paypal founder, Peter Thiel, invested $100,000 in seeing this project come true.
The Asian elephant will share similar features with its ancient ancestor, which can be large flocks of hair, thick fat layers, and a blood system that can work perfectly in sub zero temperatures. The project was started in 2015, and its authors decided to change the idea of a surrogate mother with a more ambitious one of an artificial womb.
Image source: 1
