Chicks from artificial eggshell spark moa revival hopes and ethical debates

Colossal Biosciences announced it hatched 26 chicks from a 3D-printed artificial eggshell as part of its de-extinction efforts to resurrect the extinct 12-foot moa. The system uses a membrane-enabled shell but omits other egg components, prompting scientists to note it is not a true artificial egg and that reviving the moa remains speculative. If progress continues, challenges include validating DNA, scaling to larger eggs, ecological fit, and ethical considerations, though the company argues the platform could aid endangered birds and embryo rescue.