As someone who has dedicated my professional life to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in science and technology, I wholeheartedly agree with Ben Lamm’s perspective on the importance of moonshots. Having made my fortune in the software industry, I understand the appeal of iterative improvements and incremental progress. But as a lifelong fan of science fiction and a firm believer in the power of inspiration, I am excited about the potential of Colossal’s de-extinction program to push the human condition forward.
A biotech company named Colossal gained attention on social media with an amusing petition to Star Trek’s United Federation of Planets. With jokes about their work being similar to “Jurassic Park” abounding, they didn’t shy away from the comparisons. Co-founder Ben Lamm even keeps a Barbasol can in his office, embracing the “Jurassic Park” reference.
An entrepreneur, who describes himself as a tech enthusiast, shared with us that he sees initiatives like the Star Trek petition not primarily as a means to gain media attention for his company (even though it undeniably does), but rather as an opportunity to enlighten the general public about the innovative potentials in his advanced industry. With most people’s perception of technology businesses shaped largely by portrayals like Jurassic Park, it is beneficial to dispel such apprehensions and highlight less dramatic applications as well.
“I’m deeply passionate about comic books and science fiction,” Lamm explained to ComicBook. “So, it’s no shock that I’ve founded companies in these fields. My previous business was called Hyper Giant, which focused on AI-driven satellite software and defense technology, predating the current trend. Critics compared it to Stark Industries. More recently, we established Colossal, and you can imagine the Jurassic Park references we’ve encountered.”
At Colossal, we’re big fans of pop culture and acknowledge the influence of movies like “Jurassic Park” on our work. The revival of extinct species using CRISPR and genetic engineering is an exciting development that was once only found in science fiction. Remember when genetic engineering was just a concept from films like “Jurassic Park,” where scientists engineered frog-dinosaur hybrids? Or in “Star Trek,” where the rise of super-humans led to the Eugenics War and the ban on genetic engineering for mammals, including humans? We see this as an opportunity to merge real science with the pop culture audience, especially those who love “Star Trek.”
Lamm pointed out that discussions about the extraordinary aspects of genetic engineering are valuable since ethical misuses of the science are frequently portrayed in both literature and reality, capturing public attention. However, this focus may overshadow the significant and transformative applications of the research that could benefit the world.
Lamm shared that therapeutic uses of certain technologies are becoming more prevalent. While some may view these advancements negatively, companies like Colossal are pushing the boundaries with projects like bringing back mammoths and dodos. However, Colossal’s mission goes beyond recreation as they also make these technologies available for conservation efforts, such as saving the northern white rhino. So, although we strive to revive extinct species, we remain committed to using technology to preserve endangered ones as well.
Lamm from our team expressed his thoughts on the Star Trek subreddit, saying, “Given the size of our conservation efforts, we saw this as a great chance to bring up the topic of genetically modified organisms like Khan. While there should be limitations on their usage, a complete ban is too extreme for this fictional universe. Instead, we believe these technologies can be utilized for ecological restoration. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with users pointing out instances of genetically engineered plants in Star Trek. We enjoyed the discussion and saw it as an opportunity to educate this knowledgeable and passionate community about how these technologies are being used in our world for conservation purposes.”
In “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” according to Lamm’s observation, the Enterprise team must travel back in time to retrieve a humpback whale since these creatures have gone extinct in their future timeline.
Based on my personal experiences and knowledge, I strongly believe that advancements in genetics could have potentially saved humpback whales from extinction without the need to travel back in time. As someone who has dedicated years to marine conservation efforts, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact humans have had on these magnificent creatures. However, with the rapid advancements in genetic engineering and cloning technology, we now have the power to bring extinct species back to life.
With Colossal’s grandiose and fanciful objectives, there’s a risk that the entire business may appear as a mere spectacle. It’s important to remember that Lamm openly admits his background as an avid pop culture enthusiast who amassed his wealth by providing software to businesses like Zynga. However, despite his references to the United Federation of Planets and John Hammond, Lamm concluded our conversation with a genuine and thought-provoking message, acknowledging the criticism and addressing it accordingly.
As someone who has spent my career in the software industry, I’ve seen the power of iterative improvements. We constantly release new versions of our products, each one a slight improvement over the last. But as I reflect on the world around me, I can’t help but wonder: is this all we strive for? Do we need another Amazon that’s just a little bit faster or an iPhone that’s slightly more sleek?
Lamm believes that bringing back an extinct animal through the de-extinction program, whether it’s the first or sixth one, will have a significant impact beyond just that individual creature. The inspiration and excitement generated by this achievement could influence people in profound ways.
The “halo effect” explains his conviction that investing time in grand endeavors and linking them to well-known culture and sci-fi isn’t a waste, despite appearances.
People have suggested alternatives such as attempting X or Y, or donating the money to conservation instead, Lamm noted. However, our commitment is to make all technologies we create for de-extinction available for free to the world if they can be utilized in conservation efforts. Recently, we made a significant announcement regarding a virus called E.H.V., which kills around 20-30% of baby elephants annually – more than poaching. Our technology and resources are being used to address this issue, bringing a positive outcome for the world and an unintended consequence of our quest for de-extinction. We hope for numerous such beneficial byproducts.
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2024-07-25 13:40