Colossal Biosciences Creates Dire Wolf-Like Pups Through Gene Editing

Dallas-based biotech company Colossal has announced the birth of three pups bearing DNA signatures of dire wolves, predators that disappeared from North America over 10,000 years ago. Named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, the pups tap into cultural references, blending Roman mythology with fantasy. Colossal's project mirrors its woolly mammoth "resurrection" effort, focusing on technological potential rather than full biological revival. Scientists extracted ancient DNA from fossilized dire wolf remains, including a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old ear bone. They sequenced the genome (the full complement of DNA in cells) and compared it to the modern grey wolf, identifying approximately 20 key genetic differences, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Using Crispr-Cas9, a gene-editing tool, these SNPs were edited into the genome of a grey wolf. The modified cells were then used to create embryos, which were implanted into surrogate domestic dogs. The resulting pups exhibit traits associated with dire wolves: broader shoulders, larger bodies, and pale coats. While humans and chimpanzees share 98.8% of their DNA, millions of differences exist. The evolutionary split between dire wolves and grey wolves occurred over 300,000 years ago, implying many more genetic differences than the 20 SNPs edited. Thus, these animals are grey wolves with cosmetic alterations, showcasing genetic engineering rather than species revival. Extracting usable DNA, sequencing it, identifying genetic variants, and raising animals based on this information are significant achievements. These techniques could aid conservation, particularly for endangered species facing inbreeding. The project expands synthetic biology's capabilities, enabling specific trait manipulation. The young wolves reside in an 800ha nature reserve with a three-meter fence. Some argue that resources should prioritize preserving existing biodiversity over de-extinction efforts. Colossal's project demonstrates the possibilities of genetic science and raises questions about the meaning of "bringing back" extinct species, emphasizing the responsible use of genetic power.