Save the rhino's synthetic rhino horn

When asked about endangered animals, perhaps the name of the rhino is mentioned first. Illegal hunting is making the rhino in Africa and Asia significantly reduced. All because people want to use the rhino horn part in oriental medicine, but it is unclear how effective. Therefore, Pembient has taken on the task to save rhinos.

Synthetic rhino horn

Pembient, headquartered in San Francisco (USA), is developing a technology that can produce synthetic bio rhino horns that are less expensive and can compete with real rhino horns; thus reducing the risk of extinction for this species.

Rhino is one of the top species in the list of endangered animals - (Photo: Gizmag)

Matthew Markus, president of Pembient, explained to Gizmag magazine that they obtained the product thanks to advances in synthetic biology and 3D printing techniques . The first is to use yeast to create substances like keratin in rhino horns, these keratin will be merged with other natural components of rhinos like microelements and rhino DNA. The end result is a powder. This powder can be used as a material for 3D printing process and the product obtained is artificial rhino horn.

The Pembient survey and other organizations' statistics show that more than 45% of people buy rhino horn without knowing it is real or fake. Therefore, artificial rhino horn is better than any other fake buffalo horn anyway.

Gizmag said the number could be even more extreme because of the possibility of fake rhino horn up to 90%, which means people with money are pocketed by illegal traders.