In an announcement that blurs the line between science fiction and reality, Colossal Biosciences has revealed the successful de-extinction of the dire wolf — a fearsome Ice Age predator long thought lost to time and myth. Three healthy pups named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi are now proof that ancient DNA can bring the past back to life.
Colossal Biosciences, a biotech business based in Dallas, Texas, that works to bring extinct species back to life, announced the birth of three dire wolf pups this week. This is the first successful attempt to get an extinct species back to life using advanced gene editing. The animals, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, are being raised on a 2,000-acre approved ecological preserve in a place that has not been made public.
Years of studying DNA from ancient things, like a tooth from 13,000 years ago and a brain from 72,000 years ago, led to this success. Colossal scientists used twenty precise germline edits to change the DNA of current wolves to match that of the extinct dire wolf. This considerable carnivore lived in North America until the end of the last Ice Age.
CEO Ben Lamm said, "This is more than science; it's a record." "A thing that was once a myth is now true."
The company is also cloning red wolves, one of the world's most threatened dog species. This shows how de-extinction can help conservation efforts.
"This sets a new benchmark for precision gene editing in vertebrates," said Dr. George Church, a geneticist at Harvard and co-founder of Colossal.
The dire wolves are closely watched and cared for according to strict welfare standards. With the help and supervision of the tribes, it is possible to reintroduce them into safe forest areas, possibly on Native American land.
George R.R. Martin, who created Game of Thrones and is now a culture advisor for Colossal, called the accomplishment "real-world magic." Because climate change is speeding up the loss of species, Colossal's work is a controversial new frontier that aims to save life and reverse extinction.
