Biotech Company Claims 'De-extinction' of Dire Wolves, Sparks Scientific Skepticism

'De-extinction' of Dire Wolves

• 💡 A Dallas-based biotech company, Colossal, claims to have created three dire wolf cubs through genetic engineering, a process they term 'de-extinction'.
• 🧬 The cubs were developed by altering genes of the grey wolf, the dire wolf's closest living relative, with scientists targeting DNA sequence variants believed to confer dire wolf traits.
• 🐺 The company states the cubs are 99.5% genetically similar to extinct dire wolves and have a similar morphology, with names Romulus, Reheis, and Kesi inspired by Game of Thrones.

Scientific Skepticism and Definitions

• 🔬 Other scientists express skepticism about classifying the cubs as true dire wolves, suggesting the term 'de-extinction' is an exaggeration.
• ❓ Critics argue that while the wolves are genetically modified grey wolves, the slight modifications derived from dire wolf material do not equate to resurrecting the extinct species.
• ✅ The current outcome is described as a slightly modified grey wolf, rather than a genuine dire wolf.

Future Applications and Conservation

• 🔒 The three genetically engineered wolves will be kept in captivity in an undisclosed secure location in the US.
• 🌱 Colossal's technology could potentially be used for conserving species that are currently endangered, such as the red wolf.
• 🐘 The company has also been involved in projects aiming to resurrect other extinct species, including the mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger.