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Learning English from the News

Upper intermediate level

Woolly mice: Are woolly mammoths next?

Episode 250312 / 12 Mar 2025

(Photo via Colossal Biosciences)

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The story

Scientists have created a genetically modified mouse that's woolly.

The researchers plan to use their woolly mouse to test out other genetic changes before they try to create genetically-altered, mammoth-like elephants in the future.

The company, Colossal Biosciences, hope to use the new mammoths in the fight against global warming.

Critics say the project is unethical and mainly an attempt to gain publicity.

News headlines

Woolly mice are a first step to resurrecting mammoths, but there’s a very long way to go
The Conversation

Colossal CEO Ben Lamm says humanity has a ‘moral obligation’ to pursue de-extinction tech
TechCrunch

Do not be bamboozled by the new fluffy mouse
defector.com

Key words and phrases

resurrect
give something life again

  • The actor has been trying to resurrect his career since his last film received terrible reviews.

moral obligation
a feeling that you have to do something because it is considered to be right

  • I volunteer at a soup kitchen for homeless people – for me, it feels like a moral obligation.

bamboozled
tricked

  • I got bamboozled by the car salesman and bought a more expensive model than I needed.

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