Colossal Biosciences, the biotech firm aiming to resurrect the woolly mammoth, has just made history—by bringing back the dire wolf, a predator extinct for 13,000 years.
The Breakthrough
- Ancient DNA Revival: Using a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull, scientists reconstructed the dire wolf genome.
- Closest Living Relative: The gray wolf (99.5% genetic match) served as the base for CRISPR edits.
- Surrogate Births: Three dire wolf pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—were born via dog surrogates.
Why This Matters
- Proves De-Extinction Works: Colossal’s tech could save critically endangered species like the Tasmanian tiger.
- Indigenous Collaboration: The project was inspired by Native American tribes advocating for wolf conservation.
- Pop Culture Meets Science: Named after Game of Thrones wolves, the pups are already media stars.
The Ethical Debate
“We didn’t just ask if we could—we asked if we should.”
— Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer
Critics worry about “Jurassic Park scenarios,” but Colossal insists:
✔ No wild release yet (wolves live on a 2,000-acre preserve).
✔ Strict ethical oversight (prioritizing animal welfare).
What’s Next?
- More Dire Wolves: Studying pack behavior and genetics.
- Woolly Mammoth Progress: The Woolly Mouse (a mammoth-like rodent) proves key genes work.
- Red Wolf Rescue: Cloning tech may revive America’s critically endangered red wolves.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about bringing back the past—it’s about saving the future. Could de-extinction be conservation’s next frontier?
