Would be great to chat. I’ve been subjected to a smear campaign from supporters of Colossal Biosciences and it’s CEO Ben Lamm for speaking out against de-extinction.

I’m proud to be part of the newly formed ‘Community of Practice on Collaborating with Indigenous Peoples’ who are running a 3-hour workshop this afternoon, plus a session on Thursday with invited speakers Jade Turner and Jacinta Koolmatrie.

Huge thanks to our sponsor Australasian Palaeontologists.

Māori scientists (biologists, ecologists, geneticists), elders, Indigenous IP experts, who can ask tough questions & won't be swayed by a Colossal PR charm offensive. The engagement that occurred for the moa de-extinction project was three cherry-picked people - one archaeologist & two historians...

I'd go as well but I'll be away too.

Who's on the panel? Is there Māori representation? Colossal needs to be asked tough questions that they won't like, incl. about their cherry picking of Indigenous support & the fact that there's little to no support for de-extinction amongst Māori for this colonialist endeavour. 3/3

@itiscolossal.bsky.social is sending their conservation partnerships manager to continue their charm offensive & to give a talk on "Restoring the past to protect the future: How moa de-extinction is reimagining how we protect biodiversity", followed by a panel discussion on de-extinction. 2/3