Could Real Life Jurassic Park Scientists Make a Pikachu Next? We Went To Their Lab to Find Out

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Approximately three decades ago, dinosaurs once more roamed the planet through Steven Spielberg’s movie Jurassic Park, launching a successful horror-sci-fi franchise that has amassed billions of dollars globally at the box office. The original film, however, has also contributed in an abstract manner to the development of deextinction technology, such as the work by a real-life company like Colossal Biosciences and their CEO Ben Lamm, who have made headlines for their attempts to revive woolly mammoths and bring back dire wolves from extinction after 10,000 years. Or more accurately, engineering regular wolves to exhibit dire wolf characteristics, a task by no means simple.

is it possible for someone to create a creature like Pokémon?

Lamm suggests that while it’s technically possible to create a Pokémon using genetic engineering, as portrayed by Jeff Goldblum’s character Ian Malcolm, the question is not just about the capability but also about whether we should. In terms of appearance, at least based on iconic Pokémon designs, the technology theoretically has the potential to do so.

what would be the point of doing so? I don’t see creating a Pikachu as having any conservation purpose.

Do I believe there’s worth in creating an educational company that collaborates with Pokémon to excite 50 million children about science by teaching them how Pikachu is made genetically? Yes, I do. Are we currently working on such a project? No, we are focusing on reviving extinct animals like dodos, thylacine, and mammoths first. However, I am confident that we can learn about genetic engineering to create striped yellow chinchillas from our research on coat colors and hair types from million-year-old mammoths applied to mice. But the question remains: what would be the purpose of such a creation?

Is it valuable to make an educational project about creating Pikachu genetically with Pokémon, getting 50 million kids excited about science? Yes, I think so. Are we doing it now? No, we’re busy reviving extinct animals like dodos and thylacines. But we can learn to create striped yellow chinchillas from our mammoth research, but the question is why would we want to do that?

There’s still no word if Pikachu chinchillas will possess electrical abilities. Additionally, during the lab visit, ComicBook gained further understanding of what Colossal’s research will be concentrating on next. No dinosaurs were found following the dire wolves, but there were more extinct animals discovered instead.

Colossal’s Next Project After The Dire Wolves

Setting Pokémon aside, Colossal is deeply dedicated to conservation, a cause often overshadowed by flashier topics such as cloned Pikachus and comparisons to Jurassic Park. Their primary focus currently is the thylacine, a wolf-like creature extinct since approximately between 1936 and the late 1940s, which some say is like Tasmania’s version of Bigfoot. Chris also inquired about any recently extinct species Ben might be interested in studying further.

While we’re not currently focusing on it, let me clarify to avoid misunderstanding – we’re not dealing with a Carolina Parakeet at the moment. However, this bird is quite fascinating! Currently, we have two major avian projects, the dodo and the moa. Therefore, we won’t be taking on another project right now, but in the future, we might reconsider the Carolina Parakeet as a potential addition, given it went extinct recently.

Regardless of the specific species they’re working on, Lamm maintains a distinctly non-John Hammond approach. He speaks passionately and energetically about the future, advocating for more individuals to aim higher than merely investing in the next social media venture. Instead, he emphasizes the significance of moonshots, and discusses Colossal’s pivotal role in these endeavors. He mentions that comic book companies have expressed interest in collaborations, and there are plans for films chronicling their projects, all serving to fuel enthusiasm for their work.

fundamental principle driving everything is the motto “The World Needs Healing,” as displayed prominently on a lab’s large screen for Lamm. His approach to healing the world is by acting with great care, ensuring that every decision contributes to creating an exceptional educational experience that inspires children and parents to aspire towards careers in science, specifically biology. The goal should be fostering an active connection to conservation through genetics and extinct species without making it seem like a transaction where one pays to view animals. In other words, the aim is to showcase science in an engaging way, but not at the expense of animal welfare.

It’s clear that the same sense of awe Hammond showed in his memorable flea circus speech from “Jurassic Park” is not difficult to understand. On the other hand, Lamm’s dedication to science indicates that the commercialization of his work might follow a different path compared to the most renowned dinosaur-themed film series in Hollywood.

Colossal Use Hollywood Talent To Their Advantage

Lamm discussed the company’s collaborative ties with notable talents such as George RR Martin, Peter Jackson, and director Mike Dougherty from “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”. Some of these individuals are also investors in Colossal. They have emphasized the importance of storytelling, a crucial aspect that is growing in significance for scientific stakeholders. By gaining endorsement, you essentially secure an audience, and Colossal undeniably possesses compelling content. This was evident when Peter Jackson played a key role in unveiling the dire wolf news a few months prior.

In Peter’s home in Wellington, we were busy with the Giant Moa project. As we connected the computer, Mike played the first dire wolf howls for him. His immediate response was, “You should start with that.” He became visibly emotional and said, “This is the first time these howls have been heard in 10,000 years. It should be the first thing people experience.” He wasn’t focused on profit but rather on the impactful emotional response it would evoke.

Many of these individuals are often pigeonholed: they’re movie producers, directors, or actors. However, they are not just limited to their roles; they are incredibly inquisitive and intellectually stimulated. These people are at the pinnacle of their careers, demonstrating immense creativity. Peter himself has openly shared this sentiment, expressing that while his primary occupation is filmmaking, which he enjoys immensely, this pursuit is simply his job. But his true passion lies elsewhere, and it’s quite remarkable when you have that kind of dual interest.

You can find even more information on Colossal’s work on Colossal’s official website,

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/7-scariest-dinosaur-scenes-in-the-jurassic-park-franchise/embed/#

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2025-09-03 22:12