In a groundbreaking effort, the startup Colossal Biosciences reportedly claims to have brought back the dire wolf, a species that went extinct more than 10,000 years ago.
Located in a secure facility in the United States, two young dire wolves, named Romulus and Remus, exhibit characteristics different from modern gray wolves, such as broader shoulders and a distinctive white coat.
Colossal’s approach focuses on editing the DNA of present-day gray wolves rather than cloning ancient DNA, allowing them to recreate attributes of the extinct dire wolf.
Founded by Ben Lamm and geneticist George Church, Colossal aims to tap into the potential of de-extinction, having previously announced ambitions to revive animals like the woolly mammoth and the dodo.
The team utilized ancient DNA from dire wolf fossils to make genetic edits to the gray wolf genome, resulting in modified wolves that incorporate traits associated with dire wolves.
While there’s debate over the classification of these animals, Lamm defends their designation as dire wolves based on their genetic alterations and physical characteristics.
Colossal has successfully created three dire wolves and plans for more. Their endeavor raises questions about species classification and conservation, as some experts argue that the ecological roles of these creatures hold significance alongside their genetics.
The company suggests that the revival of such a culturally iconic species could spark interest in wolf conservation efforts.
While the dire wolves in Colossal’s care are not being reintroduced into the wild, the project aims to garner awareness for contemporary gray wolves facing conservation challenges.
Ultimately, this innovative experiment in genetic engineering merges science with the allure of bringing back a legendary prehistoric species, blending the ancient with the modern.
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