In the United Kingdom, thanks to PayPal’s founder Peter Theil’s donation of $100,000 to a de-extinction organization, scientists are trying to bring back the woolly mammoth from 10,000 years of extinction via a hybrid version. Scientists are using CRISPR gene-editing technology to create an elephant-woolly mammoth hybrid, though more funding and studies are needed.
The debate continues on whether bringing back extinct species are a good idea or not. Supporters say it can help preserve endangered species and critics say it could get out of control and destroy existing ecosystems, like a real-life Jurassic Park. The reality is that more funding is needed for the project to really take off.