Extinct animal’s DNA utilized by scientists to produce mammoth meatballs

It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s actually happening right now: scientists have used DNA from extinct animals to create mammoth meatballs. Yes, you read that right. With the help of cutting-edge technology and a lot of experimentation, a team of researchers has managed to recreate the taste and texture of mammoth meat, a delicacy that hasn’t been tasted for thousands of years. But why would anyone want to do this, and what are the potential implications of this breakthrough? In this article, we’ll explore the science behind the mammoth meatballs and what it could mean for the future of food production.


An Australian-based cultured meat startup called Vow has successfully created woolly mammoth meatballs from the extinct animal’s DNA. The company is dedicated to raising awareness about the negative impact of animal agriculture and meat production on climate change. Vow believes that the growing demand for meat can be mitigated by using cells and DNA instead of slaughtering animals. Vow’s CEO, George Peppou, states that the goal is to transition billions of meat eaters to consuming products that can be produced without harming animals. To create the meatballs, Vow worked with Professor Ernst Wolvetang at the University of Queensland to create the mammoth muscle protein. They obtained the DNA sequence for mammoth myoglobin and filled in any gaps with elephant DNA. The sequence was placed in sheep stem cells, which replicated to form the billions of cells needed to create the meat. However, the meat has not yet been eaten as there are concerns about how the immune system would react to a protein that hasn’t been seen for thousands of years. The woolly mammoth went extinct 4,000 years ago, and its extinction has been linked to humans and climate change. Vow chose to use woolly mammoth DNA because the animal is a symbol of loss and of the impact of climate change. Vow also chose to create a meatball as it is a popular dish and accessible to many cultures. This is not the first time that DNA from extinct animals has been used in food production, as a California-based company previously created gummy bears using gelatin from mastodon DNA.


In conclusion, the idea of reviving extinct species, like the mammoth, through genetic engineering, has always been a topic of fascination for scientists and the public alike. With the successful creation of mammoth meatballs using DNA from extinct animals, we are one step closer to that dream becoming a reality. But, while this breakthrough is undoubtedly exciting, it also raises ethical concerns and questions about the long-term impact of bringing back extinct species. Regardless, it is clear that we still have much to learn and discover in the field of genetic engineering. Who knows, perhaps one day in the future, we may see entire herds of mammoths roaming the Earth once again. Only time will tell.