“De-extinction is no longer theory—it’s reality,” said Colossal Biosciences.
The once-extinct dire wolf has been brought back to life, and social media users are both thrilled and alarmed. “Jurassic Park here we come!” Tyler Winklevoss posted on X, echoing the viral sentiment.
Colossal Biosciences announced the October 1, 2024, birth of dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus. “These two wolves were returned from extinction using genetic edits derived from a complete dire wolf genome,” the company wrote. The dire wolf went extinct 12,500 years ago, but scientists used ancient DNA, cloning, and gene editing to revive it.
“Bring back the Wooly Mammoth,” one user wrote. Others were more cautious: “I am assuming they are doing some sort of analysis on the risks and consequences of reintroducing a new predator,” warned another.
Colossal called it “a major milestone not only for our company, but for science, conservation, and humanity.” The internet is now asking: what species is next?