Artificial Eggs: Colossal Biosciences' Bold Step Toward Reviving the Dodo and Moa

Introduction: A Glimpse Inside the Artificial Egg

At Colossal Biosciences' headquarters in Dallas, a remarkable sight unfolds: baby chicks moving and beginning to pip—their first attempt at hatching. But these chicks aren't emerging from a natural egg. Instead, they are growing inside transparent, 3D-printed plastic cups. This cutting-edge technology, which the company calls a 'fully artificial egg,' is a key part of its mission to bring back extinct bird species such as the dodo and the giant moa.

Artificial Eggs: Colossal Biosciences' Bold Step Toward Reviving the Dodo and Moa — Source: www.technologyreview.com

The Artificial Eggshell Design

More accurately described as an 'artificial eggshell,' the invention consists of an oval-shaped printed lattice coated on the inside with a special silicone-based membrane. This membrane mimics the function of a real eggshell by allowing oxygen to pass through, providing the embryo with the necessary environment to develop. A clear window on top enables researchers to monitor the growth process.

How It Works

To create these chicks, Colossal biologists carefully pour the contents of recently laid chicken eggs into the artificial shells. The embryos then continue developing inside the 3D-printed container. According to Andrew Pask, the company's chief biology officer, witnessing the chicks move within their artificial eggs was 'absolutely mind-blowing.' He emphasizes that this technology offers a new way to 'grow life outside of the womb.'

Colossal's Broader Mission

Founded in 2021, Colossal Biosciences aims to use gene editing and reproductive technology to restore extinct species, including the woolly mammoth. The company has raised over $800 million toward achieving what it describes as 'scalable and controllable' animal creation. Beyond de-extinction, the artificial egg technology could play a vital role in conserving at-risk bird species, offering a controlled incubation alternative.

The Giant Moa Project

A special focus is the giant moa, a flightless bird that stood 12 feet tall and once roamed New Zealand. The moa laid eggs of up to four liters—larger than any living bird's egg. Colossal has already developed a prototype 3D-printed egg so large that staff jokingly call it the 'salad spinner.' However, the company acknowledges that recreating the moa is far from imminent. Scientists would need to extract DNA from ancient moa bones, insert thousands of genetic changes into a living bird's genome, and then use the artificial egg to incubate the modified embryo—a technically daunting task.

The Challenge of De-Extinction

Even with a suitable artificial egg, the road to resurrecting the moa is long. The bird went extinct approximately 750 years ago after the ancestors of the Māori arrived on New Zealand's South Island. Archaeological evidence shows moa bones alongside stone cutting tools, indicating they were hunted to extinction. While Colossal has made strides in reproductive technology, the precise genetic engineering required remains a major hurdle.

Criticism and Controversy

Not everyone is convinced by Colossal's announcements. Some scientists argue that the company is overhyping its artificial eggshell, particularly after releasing a dramatic YouTube video that claimed to solve the 'impossible question of which came first, the chicken or the egg.' Critics contend that Colossal has a history of making exaggerated claims. Last year, for instance, the company said it had re-created the extinct dire wolf—a claim widely rejected by experts. The video, while entertaining, underscores a pattern of antagonizing the scientific community with what some call 'pure Hollywood' presentations.

Conclusion: A Promising Yet Controversial Step

Colossal's artificial eggshell represents a significant technological achievement, with potential applications in bird conservation and de-extinction. However, it remains one piece of a much larger puzzle. As the company pushes forward, it must balance ambition with scientific credibility. The chicks growing in those 3D-printed cups are a testament to innovation—but whether they lead to the revival of the dodo or moa depends on overcoming both genetic challenges and the skepticism of the broader scientific community.