Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster, complete with special effects of gnawed flesh and buckets of fake intestines. However, it's a reality that's come to life thanks to the efforts of the biotech company Colossal Biosciences. The world now has three dire wolves living in a secret location in the US, and their story is nothing short of fascinating.
Romulus and Remus at three months old
The team behind this ambitious project, driven by a passion that rivals Game of Thrones fandom, used the DNA of the common gray wolf, advanced gene-editing techniques, and domestic dog surrogates to bring Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister, Khaleesi, into existence. These pups embody the dreams of any mother of dragons—huge, white, and utterly awe-inspiring.
“I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works,” said CEO of Colossal, Ben Lamm.
“Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies. It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”
Romulus and Remus at one month old
Colossal Biosciences isn't new to making headlines; they previously engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse—a mouse sporting a shaggy hipster coat—to resemble a mammoth phenotype. They achieved this by analyzing 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes, ranging from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. However, the company's work has drawn criticism, with some arguing that the dire wolves are merely normal wolves in fancy dress. While they may look like dire wolves, the critics contend that the remaining dire wolf DNA is insufficient to create a true genetic clone.
The motives of Colossal Biosciences extend beyond creating social media buzz and owning extraordinary pets. The company aims to leverage its findings to help preserve current species for future generations.
“The de-extinction of the dire wolf and an end-to-end system for de-extinction is transformative and heralds an entirely new era of human stewardship of life,” said Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and member of the board of observers for Colossal.
“The same technologies that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well. This is an extraordinary technological leap in genetic engineering efforts for both science and for conservation as well as preservation of life, and a wonderful example of the power of biotechnology to protect species, both extant and extinct.”
As for these dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure their 2,000+ acre preserve meets the highest standards. Like any good superstars, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi have a dedicated entourage of staff to care for their every need.
