Scientists claim progress toward dodo revival after gene-edited chicken work
Colossal Biosciences reports editing chicken germ cells and producing Nicobar pigeon cells as a step toward eggs carrying dodo DNA, a potential path to revival.
Scientists say they are one step closer to reviving the dodo after a series of gene-editing steps aimed at producing eggs that carry reconstructed dodo DNA in chickens. Researchers at Colossal Biosciences in Texas say they have edited primordial germ cells—the stem cells that develop into eggs or sperm—in chickens and created similar germ cells from Nicobar pigeons, the dodo's closest living relative. The work, described in a report published Sept. 17, 2025, outlines a path toward producing eggs that could transmit dodo DNA, with the goal of enabling a future revival.
The team intends to edit the Nicobar pigeon cells with dodo DNA and transfer them to chickens so that the birds lay eggs containing dodo genetic material.
Ben Lamm, Colossal’s chief executive, described the development as 'a significant advancement for dodo de-extinction'. The company cautioned that turning this into living, reproducing animals would require substantial further work, including ensuring correct DNA integration and viability of offspring.
Extinction context: Dodos were hunted into extinction in the 17th century. The bird's name comes from the Portuguese word for 'fool', reflecting colonialists' perception of its fearlessness. The dodo lived only on Mauritius for centuries, and its inability to fly made it easy prey for predators that humans introduced. The last confirmed sighting occurred in 1662, though Europeans had encountered the species as early as 1598.
Evidence of the dodo's remains is fragmentary. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History holds the only surviving soft-tissue remains from the species. The so-called 'Oxford dodo' is said to have been blasted in the back of the head with a shotgun. Other remains include a dodo skull at the University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum and an upper jaw in the National Museum, Prague.
Experts say the work demonstrates progress but does not guarantee revival, and it has spurred debate about the ethics, feasibility, and governance of de-extinction research.