University of Otago palaeogeneticist Associate Prof Nic Rawlence has won the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize. PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO Myth busting the hype surrounding an American company’s bid to ‘‘de-extinct’’ New Zealand’s giant moa, has earned an Otago palaeogeneticist the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize. Last year, University of Otago Ancient Ecology Lab director Associate Prof Nic Rawlence publicly criticised Colossal Biosciences’ plan to ‘‘de-extinct’’ the bird, by creating a genetically engineered emu or some other genetically engineered ratite that might look like a moa. He told media across the world there was no such thing as ‘‘de-extinction’’, and the multi-million dollar American company’s plan was ‘‘a pipe dream that will likely never take flight’’. ‘‘Once something is extinct, it is gone.’’ Since making the remarks, supporters of Colossal have targeted Assoc Prof Rawlence with online ‘‘smear’’ articles aimed at discrediting him. Colossal chief executive Ben Lamm told media the company had no involvement in the AI-generated articles. However, it was clear the company did not like the critical commentary and Mr Lamm himself posted a comment on X, which took aim at Assoc Prof Rawlence’s credibility. ‘‘There are sometimes crazy, weird conspiracy articles about @colossal which make us laugh — But the dumbest headline of all time goes to this article whose author doesn’t even know moas couldn’t fly. ‘‘If the moas [sic] fly, we really f...ed up. LOL. I wish people did more research. DUMB — LOLOLOLOLOL.’’ At the time, he said he was not concerned about the campaign to discredit his work. ‘‘It’s water off a moa’s back for me.’’ But over time, it started to take a toll. Assoc Prof Rawlence said receiving the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize from Christopher Luxon at a ceremony in Parliament on Tuesday, made it all worthwhile. ‘‘This is a very big deal. ‘‘It’s amazing and humbling and cloud nine stuff, all at the same time. ‘‘It still hasn’t quite sunk in.’’ He said it gave him confidence that he was doing the right thing. ‘‘I must be doing something right with my cyclone journey and basically, I suppose it’s support that what I’m doing is actually making a difference.’’ The selection panel for the prize was impressed with Assoc Prof Rawlence’s contributions to science education and the breadth of his communications through a range of media — both proactive and reactive. ‘‘He has already achieved global impact, with millions of views online, by fact-checking people’s claims on controversial topics.’’ Assoc Prof Rawlence has a three-pronged plan for spending the $75,000 prize. He aims to improve science communication by creating a longitudinal study on perceptions of de-extinction versus genetic engineering, to understand the influence of different forms of science communication. He will also use some of the prize money to fund university postgraduate students and early career researchers to attend the Science Media Centre’s course on science communication. And finally, he plans to write a book with collaborator Dr Pascale Lubbe, about how science has allowed past ecosystems from prehistoric New Zealand to be reconstructed. john.lewis@odt.co.nz
