Interview: Ben Lamm on Hope, Ethics, and Scaling De-Extinction at Colossal Biosciences

In a wide-ranging interview with Dr. Vikas Shah for Thought Economics, Colossal Co-Founder & CEO Ben Lamm discusses how de-extinction can reshape humanity’s relationship with nature—by pairing breakthrough science with public education and measurable conservation impact.

Key themes from the conversation

• Hope as a conservation strategy: Lamm argues that “doom and gloom” can shut people down—and that scientific progress must be communicated in ways that restore agency and curiosity.

• A three-part thesis (value + impact + inspiration): He describes aligning stakeholders around a long-term roadmap that creates near-term value while advancing biodiversity outcomes.

• Ethics “like an onion,” with clear boundaries: Lamm outlines layered decision-making, including explicit limits on what Colossal will and won’t work on.

• Animal welfare + independent oversight: He points to third-party welfare certification and external review as core safeguards for responsible innovation. (Related: Colossal’s oversight and review processes.)

• AI-integrated science: Lamm explains how AI supports work across ancient DNA assembly, comparative genomics, and conservation applications—accelerating timelines that would otherwise take decades.

Related reading on Colossal.com 

• Oversight & Safeguards: Ethics at Colossal Biosciences

• What animal welfare standards does Colossal follow?

• Who oversees ethical review of Colossal’s research? 

• How Colossal prioritizes ethics in de-extinction

• Why functional de-extinction supports conservation

Read the full interview on Thought Economics.