Why do critics say a gene-edited elephant with mammoth traits may not be a true woolly mammoth?

Critics of de-extinction projects argue that a gene-edited elephant with mammoth traits would not be a true woolly mammoth because it would essentially be a slightly modified Asian elephant.21

While scientists can use gene editing to introduce specific physical characteristics—such as a shaggy coat—into the DNA of an Asian elephant embryo, the resulting animal would still possess a genetic constitution that diverges significantly from the original woolly mammoth. Because these projects rely on modifying the genome of a living relative rather than perfectly replicating the extinct species, skeptics maintain that the offspring would lack the full biological identity of the original species. Furthermore, there is broader scientific uncertainty regarding how to classify animals revived through such methods, as their genetic makeup and potential for natural adaptation remain distinct from their extinct ancestors.213