Bringing Back Extinct Species

The impacts of climate change and the steady march of ecosystem loss are leading to the rapid extinction of plant and animal species across the world. In response, the concept of resurrection biology seeks to revive or recreate extinct species. Notably, resurrection biology might not just bring back long-lost species, but also reverse the ongoing extinction of current species.

While fanfare around this technology often focuses on long-extinct animals — the startup Colossal Biosciences has announced it is working to bring back the woolly mammoth by late 2028 — it offers several practical use cases. These include combating insect extinctions, which are a major threat to the resilience of the global food supply and the health of ecosystems. If critical extinctions do occur, this technology might one day be vital to reversing major impacts by reviving key species.

Planners should consider not just the long-term implications of this technology, but also the ecosystem loss and rapid extinction of plant and animal species that drive its continued relevance.