The First Ever Fossilized Chromosomes Came from a Freeze-Dried Mammoth
Scientific AmericanJUL 2024
Scientists Reconstruct Wooly Mammoth's Genetic Code
The Spin
Narrative A
Now that we know that dehydrated fossils can be turned into near-perfect DNA replicas, scientists may be able to do the same for ancient Egyptian mummies or other long-lost animals. Given time, this information may also lead to the revival of extinct animals, or at the very least ones similar to those of ancient times.
Narrative B
While novel genome sequencing technology provides incredible insight into the evolution and history of animals, that doesn't mean they can be completely de-extinct. Using a modern-day elephant to produce some sort of reincarnated wooly mammoth may be possible, but that would bring up ethical issues surrounding using animals for such experiments.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that the wooly mammoth will be revived by September 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
