CNN
Colossal Biosciences has successfully created three dire wolf pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—by editing the genes of modern gray wolves.
In a groundbreaking development, Colossal Biosciences has announced the successful de-extinction of the dire wolf, an iconic Ice Age predator that vanished approximately 10,000 years ago. Utilizing advanced gene-editing technologies, scientists reconstructed dire wolf DNA from ancient fossils—a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull—and integrated these genetic sequences into the genomes of modern gray wolves. This process led to the birth of three pups: Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.
The company employed somatic cell nuclear transfer and surrogate dogs to bring the embryos to term, resulting in animals that exhibit the physical characteristics of their extinct ancestors. Currently, these pups are thriving in a 2,000-acre ecological preserve, where they are closely monitored by researchers.
Colossal’s CEO, Ben Lamm, hailed the achievement as a significant milestone in genetic engineering and conservation science, stating, “This project exemplifies our commitment to restoring lost biodiversity through innovative biotechnology.”
However, the endeavor has sparked debate within the scientific community. Some experts question the authenticity of the de-extinction, suggesting that the resulting animals are genetically modified gray wolves rather than true dire wolves. Despite these discussions, Colossal maintains that their approach sets new standards for ancient DNA study and conservation efforts.
Looking ahead, Colossal Biosciences continues to pursue de-extinction projects, including efforts to revive the woolly mammoth and the thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger. These initiatives aim to enhance our understanding of genetic engineering’s potential to restore extinct species and address ecological imbalances caused by their disappearance.