Colossal Biosciences has successfully genetically engineered three wolf pups that resemble extinct dire wolves, with long white hair, muscular jaws, and a potential weight of 140 pounds at maturity. The company used CRISPR technology to modify cells from living gray wolves to create genetically engineered embryos transferred to surrogate dogs, resulting in the birth of the pups. While the pups physically resemble dire wolves, they may not learn essential survival skills from their wild dire wolf parents.
Colossal also cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves to help increase genetic diversity in the critically endangered red wolf population. This technology may have broader applications for conservation efforts, as it is less invasive than other cloning techniques but still requires capturing wild wolves for blood samples.
While the project has garnered praise from U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum as a scientific wonder, outside scientists caution that genetically engineering extinct species like dire wolves may not fully restore their ecological functions in today’s landscapes. The limitations of bringing back extinct species are acknowledged by researchers like Vincent Lynch, who emphasize the importance of understanding that genetically engineered animals may only superficially resemble their extinct counterparts. Ultimately, the goal of projects like this is to contribute to conservation efforts and protect endangered species like the red wolf.
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