Colossal Biosciences Claims 'Game of Thrones' Direwolf Revival, Experts Skeptical

Colossal Biosciences' Direwolf Claim

• 💡 A US-based firm, Colossal Biosciences, claims to have brought back the extinct direwolf, famously known from 'Game of Thrones'.
• 🧬 The company states they extracted DNA from ancient direwolf remains and used it to modify the genome of modern grey wolves.
• 🐺 Colossal Biosciences reports the birth of three direwolf pups: two males and one female.

Expert Skepticism and Scientific Limitations

• 🔬 Ecologist Corey Bradshaw expresses doubt, stating that current technology allows for modifying components of genomes, not entire genomes.
• ⚠️ Bradshaw suggests the company has likely created slightly genetically modified wolves, rather than true direwolves.
• 🤔 The retrieved direwolf material may have only contributed to minor modifications in the grey wolves.

Viability of De-extinction and Population Challenges

• ❓ Even if successful, the creation of a few individuals does not guarantee a viable population of direwolves.
• 📈 A truly viable population requires thousands of genetically diverse individuals to avoid inbreeding depression and ensure long-term survival.
• 📉 The introduction of most species fails, with over 99% not surviving due to factors like inbreeding.