Gone for more than three centuries, the dodo may one day reappear. An American company claims to have reached an important milestone in turning this concept into a concrete project.
The iconic bird of Mauritius left behind only sailors' accounts and a few bones displayed in museums. Yet, a team of biotechnologists is now working with genetic tools to create a modern equivalent of the dodo. This work, still far from completion, generates as much enthusiasm as skepticism.
A project led by Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based company specializing in biotechnology, aims to bring back to life several extinct species, including the mammoth and the Tasmanian tiger. In fact, a few months ago, it succeeded in reviving a species of giant wolf that disappeared 12,000 years ago (see
our article on the subject). The dodo holds a special place on this list. The bird, which disappeared around 1662, symbolizes irreversible extinction in the collective imagination.
The company announced that it has developed a method to cultivate primordial germ cells in the domestic pigeon. These cells are the precursors of sperm and eggs. Obtaining them is an essential step for future genetic manipulations.
Researchers now want to apply this technique to the Nicobar pigeon, considered the closest living relative of the dodo. The goal is to modify its genome to create a bird with the characteristics of the extinct dodo.
Obstacles specific to birds
Unlike mammals, birds cannot be cloned directly because they are born... in an egg. Each attempt requires working on two successive generations. Researchers must therefore create male and female lineages before crossing them.
Culturing germ cells is a technical prerequisite, but other difficulties remain. The embryos will have to be carried by genetically modified hens, used as surrogate mothers. These hens will serve as substitutes so that the edited cells give rise to chicks carrying genes close to those of the dodo.
This process is still long and complex. Colossal's leaders estimate that it will take at least five to seven years before hoping to see the first individuals born.
The controversial notion of "de-extinction"
For the general public, "de-extinction" suggests a pure and simple return of extinct species. In reality, scientists talk more about recreating genetic equivalents. The animals obtained will not be identical to those of the past.
Some experts point out that the environment, behavior, and interactions with other species cannot be reproduced. A dodo genetically close to the original will never be a perfect copy.
The controversy also revolves around the use of the term "rebirth." Some researchers believe it is more a work of genetic engineering producing new hybrid species. The debate remains lively in the scientific community.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND