What Have They Done?
Norman Finkelstein talks Gaza, a mass grave
of Palestinian paramedics, and why he believes the
Israeli army's actions reflect the citizenry of Israel.
In recent discussions, political scientist and author Norman Finkelstein has addressed the tragic incident involving the deaths of 15 Palestinian paramedics in Gaza. This event, known as the Rafah paramedic massacre, occurred on March 23, 2025, when Israeli forces targeted several humanitarian vehicles, including ambulances and a UN vehicle, in the Al-Hashashin area of Rafah. The attack resulted in the deaths of eight members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, five civil defense workers, and a UN staff member. Wikipedia+1The Guardian+1
Finkelstein, known for his critical views on Israeli policies, has commented on this incident, highlighting concerns about the actions of the Israeli military and their reflection on broader societal attitudes. He emphasizes the importance of accountability and the need for independent investigations into such events.
The Israeli military acknowledged "professional failures" in this incident, including breaches of orders and inadequate reporting. A deputy commander was dismissed, and another officer was censured. However, no criminal charges were filed, and the military maintained that there was no violation of its code of ethics. The Guardian+1Wikipedia+1
Human rights organizations and international bodies have called for independent investigations, citing concerns about the impartiality of internal military inquiries.
The United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies condemned the attack, describing it as one of the deadliest for aid workers in recent history. Wikipedia
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No. This is not Jurassic Park. This is Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences is a biotechnology company based in Dallas, Texas, co-founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist Dr. George Church. The company's mission is to apply advanced genetic engineering techniques to revive extinct species and bolster biodiversity. Utilizing technologies like CRISPR gene editing and cloning, Colossal aims to reintroduce species such as the woolly mammoth, dodo, Tasmanian tiger, and dire wolf into modern ecosystems.
Dire Wolf Project
In a notable achievement, Colossal announced the birth of three dire wolf pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—by editing gray wolf DNA to express traits associated with the extinct dire wolf. These animals are being raised in a secure, 2,000-acre preserve equipped with monitoring systems to ensure their well-being. While the company views this as a step toward restoring lost species, some scientists argue that the resulting animals are genetically modified hybrids rather than true replicas of extinct species.
Woolly Mammoth Project
Colossal's broader projects include efforts to revive the woolly mammoth by integrating mammoth genes into Asian elephant DNA, aiming to produce cold-resistant hybrids by 2028. The company also explores the potential of its technologies to aid in the conservation of endangered species by enhancing genetic diversity and resilience.
Ethical and Ecological Considerations
The company's initiatives have sparked ethical and ecological debates. Critics question the practicality and morality of de-extinction, expressing concerns about animal welfare, ecological impacts, and the diversion of resources from existing conservation efforts. They argue that introducing genetically engineered proxies of extinct species into modern ecosystems—systems that have evolved without those species—could create unforeseen consequences, disrupt existing wildlife populations, and risk repeating mistakes made in earlier conservation failures. Additionally, some bioethicists raise the issue of suffering among surrogate animals used in breeding experiments and the long-term viability of such engineered creatures, especially if they struggle to survive or reproduce in altered environments.
Conservation groups have also expressed frustration that while endangered species continue to face habitat loss, poaching, and climate-related pressures, large sums of money and media attention are being funneled into reviving animals that are long extinct.
The concern is that these headline-grabbing projects might distract from less glamorous but urgently needed conservation programs.
Supporters of Colossal's mission, however, point to the potential of de-extinction science to drive innovation in genetics, ecology, and veterinary science. They suggest that technologies developed through these programs—such as advanced gene editing, artificial wombs, and enhanced genomic understanding—could be used to fortify existing species against extinction threats. In this view, the work being done by Colossal is not merely about bringing back the mammoth or dire wolf but about creating a toolkit for future biodiversity resilience.
Proponents believe that if executed responsibly, these programs could restore lost ecosystems, serve as climate remediation tools, and advance our ability to undo some of the damage caused by industrial-era human expansion.
Colossal Biosciences continues to advance its research and development, positioning itself at the forefront of synthetic biology and conservation science. With plans underway to grow woolly mammoth-elephant hybrids in artificial wombs and dodo-like birds using pigeon DNA, the company’s work is poised to challenge conventional boundaries of species conservation, pushing forward a new era of ecological engineering that is still largely uncharted—and controversial.
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Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.