In brief
After years of research in the field of de-extinction, Colossal Biosciences has created wolf pups imbued with dire wolf genes, reshaping discussions around extinct species. These pups, including playful Khaleesi, may aid conservation efforts for endangered species as well.
For over a decade, the ambition to revive extinct creatures has captivated scientists, now inching closer to reality through the innovative work at Colossal Biosciences. This company has made headlines with its recent development involving the iconic dire wolf, a creature that prowled the Earth 13,000 years ago and was popularized by the “Game of Thrones” series.In a groundbreaking step, researchers at Colossal conclusively edited 20 genes in gray wolves to recreate some characteristics of their dire wolf ancestors. Their journey began in 2021 when another group successfully extracted DNA from dire wolf fossils. Fueled by their findings, Colossal proceeded to craft embryos from modified gray wolf cells and utilized surrogate dogs for gestation.The outcome is three remarkable wolf pups, Romulus, Remus, and the female Khaleesi. At 6 months and 2 months old respectively, these pups exhibit notable traits reminiscent of dire wolves: they are larger than ordinary gray wolves and flaunt their striking light-colored coats.Beth Shapiro, chief scientific officer at Colossal Biosciences, proclaimed these pups as the first successful instances of de-extinction. She expressed that they are not merely replicas, but functional copies of life forms that once roamed the earth.Currently residing at a secure 2,000-acre facility in the northern United States, these pups will remain in captivity for now. However, the methodologies and technologies developed may hold promise beyond just reviving the past. They could provide critical contributions towards the survival strategies for species teetering on the edge of extinction today, like the severely endangered red wolf of North Carolina.
