Colossal Biosciences, a startup focused on “de-extinction,” has recently made headlines with its most groundbreaking achievement: the recreation of the dire wolf, a species that vanished over 12,000 years ago and gained fame from the series “Game of Thrones.” This announcement comes with the unveiling of live specimens, Remus and Romulus, along with a younger female, Khaleesi, glimpsed by select journalists in a concealed 2,000-acre preserve in the northern United States.
These dire wolves are the product of 18 months of genetic research and engineering, relying on DNA extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. Colossal used CRISPR technology to modify cells from a grey wolf, with 20 specific genes edited to replicate the dire wolf’s distinct traits. The engineered embryos were subsequently implanted into a domestic dog, resulting in these intriguing hybrid animals.
While Colossal has positioned this as a historic moment in the field of de-extinction, skepticism arises within the scientific community regarding the authenticity of these creations. Critics suggest that these genetically altered wolves do not represent a true revival. David Gold, a paleobiologist, labelled the outcome as a grey wolf correlated with some dire wolf characteristics rather than an authentic dire wolf species.
Colossal Biosciences, co-founded by Ben Lamm, claims its dire wolves are the first extinct species to be resurrected, yet the argument remains philosophical. Lamm mentioned the ethical considerations taken into account during the genetic modification process, opting not to include genes that could cause harmful traits like deafness or blindness.
The company initially ventured into dire wolf revival coincidentally while seeking new projects, discovering the dire wolf’s appeal and relevance combined with the conservation of critically endangered species, such as the red wolf. They aim to create a small pack of dire wolves, potentially returning them to natural habitats, especially in partnership with indigenous communities.
As Colossal explores various revenue avenues, including its artificial womb technology and potential services to governments for wildlife conservation, the viability of its business model at a valuation of $10.2 billion remains uncertain. The daunting challenge will be determining if the company can produce results that satisfy both investors and the scientific community. Ultimately, the fate of the dire wolves and Colossal’s larger ambitions will depend significantly on the real-world efficacy of their groundbreaking genetic advancements.
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