Photo: colossal/Instagram
A new artificial egg technology developed in the United States has produced 26 healthy chicks, marking a major step toward the possible revival of the extinct giant moa, Reuters reports. The breakthrough was announced by biotech company Colossal Biosciences.
The company said the system was designed to support the development of embryos from species whose eggs cannot be incubated by modern birds. The artificial platform combines a rigid outer shell with a bioengineered silicone membrane that mimics the functions of a natural eggshell, including gas exchange, humidity control and temperature regulation.
According to CEO Ben Lamm, the technology could be crucial for bringing back the moa — a giant flightless bird from New Zealand that once grew up to 3.6 meters tall. The moa became extinct around 500 years ago, largely due to human hunting. Its closest living relative is believed to be the emu, though emu eggs are roughly eight times smaller.
Colossal Biosciences is currently working on sequencing the moa genome using ancient DNA samples. The company is also involved in other “de-extinction” projects, including efforts to revive the dodo and several other extinct species.
The artificial incubation system begins with a fertilized embryo placed onto the synthetic platform, where environmental conditions and nutrients — including calcium needed for skeletal growth — are carefully controlled throughout development.
The announcement comes shortly after the company revealed plans for a $60 million cryobiology storage facility in Dubai, which will preserve millions of frozen tissue and cell samples from around 10,000 species worldwide.
