Colossal Biosciences Revives Dire Wolf Using Ancient DNA

Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based genetic engineering company, has announced the successful revival of the dire wolf, a species that has been extinct for over 10,000 years. The company achieved this feat using ancient DNA extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old inner ear bone, combined with advanced gene editing and cloning technologies. The resulting puppies, named Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi, are the first de-extinct animals born on October 1, 2024.

The process involved extracting core genes from the ancient DNA and engineering them onto a wolf cell line, a method that Colossal Biosciences founder and CEO Ben Lamm described as similar to the process depicted in the movie "Jurassic Park." Lamm emphasized that the dire wolves are not hybrids but rather genetically engineered animals. The company collaborated with conservationists and Indigenous groups to bring the project to life, focusing on species native to North America.

Lamm clarified that cloning an extinct animal is not possible due to the lack of living cells, and that the process relies on extracting highly fragmented DNA from fossils and bone fragments. The dire wolf's extinction is believed to have occurred around 13,000 years ago, near the end of the last Ice Age, due to the loss of primary food sources and increased competition from other predators, such as gray wolves.

Lamm addressed the philosophical question of whether these animals are truly dire wolves, stating that everything in life is an admixture and that the concept of purity belongs to eugenics, not science. He also highlighted the importance of bold action in fighting extinction events and the need for de-extinction capabilities to combat biodiversity loss. Colossal Biosciences is also working on supporting conservation efforts and has set up the Colossal Foundation to raise funds for conservation work.

Lamm's comments underscore the company's commitment to using genetic engineering and synthetic biology to revive extinct species and support conservation efforts. The revival of the dire wolf represents a significant milestone in the field of genetic engineering and de-extinction, offering new tools and a deeper understanding of the full process. The company's efforts are part of a broader initiative to combat biodiversity loss and prepare for future extinction events.