Huberman LabBringing Extinct Species Back to Life | Dr. Beth Shapiro
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- October 5, 2026
- Duration
- 2h 15m
- Channel
- Huberman Lab
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Dr. Beth Shapiro, PhD, is an evolutionary biologist and Chief Science Officer at Colossal Biosciences. Her work focuses on de-extinction and wildlife conservation efforts. We discuss genetic differences among humans, and how ancient DNA and modern embryology are being used to de-extinct and protect woolly mammoths, dodo birds, and dire wolves, as well as to help conserve endangered species. We also explore the ethical implications of de-extinction and how synthetic biology can help build a more bio diverse and resilient world. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/JKtj3zr Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Huberman Lab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://x.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Dr. Beth Shapiro Colossal Biosciences: https://colossal.com/team/beth-shapiro-ph-d-3 Academic profile: https://directory.ucsc.edu/cd_detail?guid=G024262336 National Geographic: https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/beth-shapiro Lab: https://pgl.soe.ucsc.edu Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8Mv9l1oAAAAJ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-shapiro-27344222 X: https://x.com/bonesandbugs Timestamps 00:00:00 Beth Shapiro 00:02:35 What is a Species?, Taxonomy, Bison 00:09:13 Neanderthals, Denisovans, Homo Sapiens 00:12:38 Sponsors: Joovv & Eight Sleep 00:15:27 Hybrid Ancestry, “Grolar” Bears 00:20:30 Homo Sapiens & Neanderthal Interbreeding, Genes; Denisovans 00:25:53 Neanderthal Genes, Immunity, Red Hair; Eye Color 00:30:17 De-Extinction, Species Selection, Woolly Mammoths 00:38:08 Sponsor: AG1 00:39:21 Bird De-Extinction, Dodo; Reproduction & Genes 00:47:40 Development Biology, Woolly Mammoth, Elephants 00:54:49 Dire Wolf, Synthetic Biology, Ethics 01:03:26 De-Extinction, Ecology, Conservation, Ethics 01:09:22 Ecosystem Resilience, Thylacine; Preventing Extinction, Quolls 01:15:45 Sponsor: Function 01:17:23 Modeling Ecological Impact, Mosquitoes, Gene Drives; Panthers 01:25:50 Advisory Panels, Synthetic Biology Education 01:29:13 Genetic Selection in Humans, Human-Shaped World 01:38:25 Black-Footed Ferrets, Genetic Rescue 01:47:05 Dire Wolf; Ecological Modeling, New Technology & Public Fear 01:55:09 Artificial Wombs; Current Issues, Conservation & Red Wolf 02:01:26 Science Pioneers; Colossal Public Education 02:04:31 Beth’s Science Origin Story; Dinosaurs 02:13:42 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
SPEAKERS
Dr. Beth Shapiro
guestEvolutionary biologist and ancient DNA researcher focused on de-extinction and conservation genetics.
Andrew Huberman
hostProfessor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Dr. Beth Shapiro and Andrew Huberman, Bringing Extinct Species Back to Life | Dr. Beth Shapiro explores de-extinction explained: engineering mammoths, dire wolves, and conservation biotech Dr. Beth Shapiro explains why “species” is a flexible human label, and how genetics and hybridization (e.g., Neanderthal–human admixture) complicate simplistic taxonomy.
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