Texas-based de‑extinction company Colossal Biosciences raised 26 live chicks from a 3D‑printed lattice that mimics an eggshell, a breakthrough the firm says moves it closer to resurrecting New Zealand’s giant moa. [1]
The artificial shell is built with a membrane that lets oxygen pass through and calcium is added to replace what a normal shell would supply . Eggs are poured into the system, incubated, and the developing embryos are monitored continuously.
Skeptics argue the technology is mostly a fancy eggshell rather than a true artificial egg. Evolutionary biologist Vincent Lynch (University at Buffalo) notes important structures that nourish the embryo and remove waste were not included, meaning the result is “just a genetically modified bird” not a revived moa. Colossal’s CEO Ben Lamm concedes more work lies ahead, including comparing ancient moa DNA with living birds and building a much larger eggshell.
Other scientists warn that even if a moa‑like bird were created, it is unclear what environment it could live in today.
