Colossal Biosciences, an American biotech company, announces the successful resurrection of the dire wolf, a species extinct for over 10,000 years. The company claims this is the world’s first de-extinction process. On October 1, 2024, Colossal introduces Romulus and Remus, two of the three revived wolves. The company explains that these wolves are brought back using ancient DNA extracted from fossilized remains.
The dire wolf, once roaming the Earth, is now brought back to life through genetic engineering. Colossal reconstructs the complete genome of the dire wolf using fossil DNA dating back 11,500 to 72,000 years. Colossal uses a grey genome for the process, which shares 99.5% of its genetic code with them. The company then edits the grey wolf’s genome to match the extinct species’ DNA.
Beth Shapiro, the chief scientist at Colossal, expresses full confidence in the success of the project. She mentions that the grey wolf genome was genetically close to the dire wolf genome, making the genetic editing easier. The scientists at Colossal use the edited grey wolf cells and bring the dire wolves back to life.
The First Dire Wolves Pups
However, the project faces skepticism from some experts. Julie Meachen, a researcher, states that the new wolves are not true dire wolves. She believes that the wolves created are genetically edited grey wolves, not the extinct species. Meachen claims that the wolves are not identical to their prehistoric ancestors.
According to Colossal, these has a distinct genetic lineage, even though it visually resembles grey wolves and jackals. The company’s scientists rewrite the genetic code of the grey wolf to match the dire wolf’s genetic makeup. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, the two-month-old wolf, are born with the help of domestic dog surrogates. These wolves now reside in an undisclosed location under heavy surveillance and security.
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