Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot from a thrilling movie, complete with dramatic special effects, but it's become a reality thanks to the biotech company Colossal Biosciences. Now, the world has three dire wolves residing in a secret location in the US, sparking both fascination and debate.
Romulus and Remus at three months oldThe masterminds behind this project, Colossal Biosciences, utilized DNA from the common gray wolf, advanced gene-editing techniques, and domestic dog surrogates to bring Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister Khaleesi into existence. These puppies embody the vision of any mother of dragons—huge, white, and undeniably awe-inspiring.
“I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works,” stated CEO of Colossal Ben Lamm.
“Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies. It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”
Romulus and Remus at one month oldColossal Biosciences isn't new to making headlines; they previously created a Colossal Woolly Mouse, resembling a mammoth, using computational analysis of 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes spanning from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. Critics, however, argue that these dire wolves are essentially normal wolves in fancy dress. While they may look like dire wolves, the existing dire wolf DNA is insufficient to create a true genetic clone.
The company's goals extend beyond creating social media buzz and owning impressive pets. Colossal Biosciences aims to use their findings to aid in the preservation of current species for future generations.
“The de-extinction of the dire wolf and an end-to-end system for de-extinction is transformative and heralds an entirely new era of human stewardship of life,” said Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and member of the board of observers for Colossal.
“The same technologies that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well. This is an extraordinary technological leap in genetic engineering efforts for both science and for conservation as well as preservation of life, and a wonderful example of the power of biotechnology to protect species, both extant and extinct.”
As for the dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure their well-being at a 2,000+ acre preserve, where they are cared for by a dedicated team of staff.
