Despite ongoing initiatives aimed at combatting ongoing threats to the habitats and safety of endangered species, demand for rare animal products perpetuates illegal poaching of already dwindling populations.
Among those species who face the highest threat are rhinos, which are hunted for their horns. According to a report by the Guardian, a record 1,215 rhinos were killed in 2014, a 21 percent hike in deaths from the previous year.
That's where Pembient comes in.
The company is synthesizing bioengineered rhino horns in its lab — ones hardly distinguishable from the real deal — in order to combat the steadily rising rates of illegal rhino poaching. The horns, which are genetically identical to the real thing, are being 3D printed with the intention of distributing them among black market distributors.
"In order to attack the price of rhino horns, we've decided to fabricate them in a lab," wrote co-founders Matthew Markus and George Bonaci in a Reddit thread that went viral last month. "Our horns are practically indistinguishable from wild horns. By creating an unlimited supply of horns at one-eighth of the current market price, there should be far less incentive for poachers to risk their lives or government officials to accept bribes."
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