Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot from a thrilling sci-fi movie, complete with dramatic special effects and intense action scenes. Yet, it's not just fiction; it's a reality crafted by the biotech company Colossal Biosciences. They've successfully resurrected three dire wolves, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, using a blend of DNA from the common gray wolf, gene-editing technology, and domestic dog surrogates. These majestic creatures are now residing in a secret location within the US, sparking both awe and curiosity.
Romulus and Remus at three months old
Colossal Biosciences, driven by a passion that could rival any Game of Thrones fan, has not only brought these dire wolves to life but has also set a new benchmark in genetic engineering. "I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works," stated CEO Ben Lamm. The team's innovative approach involved extracting DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull, culminating in the birth of healthy dire wolf puppies.
Romulus and Remus at one month old
This isn't Colossal Biosciences' first venture into de-extinction; they previously engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse, designed to mimic a mammoth's phenotype, using computational analysis of numerous mammoth genomes. Critics, however, question the authenticity of these dire wolves, suggesting they are essentially normal wolves dressed up in a genetic costume, given the limitations of existing dire wolf DNA.
Beyond the spectacle and social media buzz, Colossal Biosciences has a deeper mission: to leverage their findings for the conservation of current species. "The de-extinction of the dire wolf and an end-to-end system for de-extinction is transformative and heralds an entirely new era of human stewardship of life," explained Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and board member at Colossal. The technology used to revive the dire wolf could also play a crucial role in saving other endangered animals, highlighting the potential of biotechnology in conservation efforts.
To ensure the well-being of Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to establish a 2,000+ acre preserve, complete with a dedicated staff to care for these living legends.
