Colossal Biosciences hatched 26 live chickens inside 3D-printed artificial eggshells at its laboratory in Dallas, Texas [1], [2].
This achievement serves as a critical proof-of-concept for de-extinction technology. By successfully growing embryos in a synthetic environment, the company aims to develop the tools necessary to resurrect extinct bird species, such as the moa or the dodo [3], [4].
The process utilized a 3D-printed honeycomb structure to serve as the artificial eggshell [3]. This synthetic container provided the necessary environment for the embryos to develop until they were ready to hatch. The Dallas-based biotechnology company announced the results on May 19 [1].
"We’ve demonstrated that we can grow a chicken in an artificial egg," said George Church, co-founder of Colossal Biosciences [1].
Ben Lamm, also a co-founder of Colossal Biosciences, said the 26 live chicks that emerged from the honeycomb structures are a proof-of-concept for future de-extinction work [3].
Despite the successful hatch, the technology faces scrutiny regarding its definition. While Colossal describes the system as a fully artificial egg, some independent scientists disagree. Jane Doe, a science reporter, said the system still lacks a true yolk and placenta, which are essential for a fully artificial egg [5].
The company continues to refine these biological containers to ensure they can support the complex needs of different avian species. The ability to bypass the need for a natural eggshell could allow researchers to manipulate genetic material more effectively, potentially bringing back species that have been gone for centuries [3], [4].
“We’ve demonstrated that we can grow a chicken in an artificial egg.”
The successful hatching of 26 chicks demonstrates that synthetic shells can support avian development, but the lack of a fully integrated artificial yolk and placenta remains a significant biological hurdle. If Colossal Biosciences can overcome these limitations, they may move from using domestic chickens to attempting the gestation of hybrid embryos that mimic extinct species, shifting de-extinction from theoretical genetics to physical reality.
