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In a groundbreaking announcement, Colossal Biosciences, a startup focused on species revival through genetic engineering, unveiled its most recent project: the engineered dire wolf. These canid creations, inspired by the extinct creatures popularized by the television series Game of Thrones, represent a significant step in the field of de-extinction, targeting animals that vanished over 12,000 years ago. The company highlighted the scientific advancements behind the project and its broader implications for conservation efforts.
Engineered Dire Wolves Unveiled at Secretive Location
These novel, white, fluffy canines reside on a 2,000-acre protected area at a confidential site in the northern United States. Access to the facility was limited to maintain secrecy. Media representatives, including journalists from TechCrunch, were transported to an undisclosed secondary location to observe the animals firsthand. This measure was implemented to ensure authenticity in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and the potential for digital manipulation of images.
First Look: Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi
During the viewing, attendees were introduced to two six-month-old males, named Remus and Romulus, each already weighing approximately 80 pounds. To the untrained observer, they resembled exceptionally large wild dogs, distinguished by slightly broader skulls and elongated muzzles. The engineered dire wolf group also includes a two-month-old female named Khaleesi.
Colossal Biosciences emphasizes the unique nature of these animals, stating they are the product of an 18-month research endeavor leveraging genetic data extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull of genuine extinct dire wolves.
Earlier this year, when Colossal Biosciences announced its latest funding round, reaching a valuation of $1.2 billion, co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm asserted to TechCrunch that the company was undervalued considering its tangible scientific progress.
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Given the common inclination for startups to inflate their achievements, skepticism surrounded Lamm’s claims, particularly as Colossal’s ambitious de-extinction projects for the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger were not projected for completion until 2028.
Subsequently, the company has presented advancements intended to address doubts regarding its scientific capabilities. Notably, last month’s announcement of a mouse engineered with mammoth-like fur generated considerable interest and positive reactions.
The unveiling of the engineered dire wolves marks a significant advancement, taking the company’s animal creation projects to a more complex phase.
Researchers at Colossal Biosciences compared ancient dire wolf DNA with that of the gray wolf, discovering a 99.5% genetic similarity between the species. Utilizing CRISPR gene-editing technology, scientists modified gray wolf cells with 20 genes influencing the dire wolf’s physical characteristics. These edited cells were then used to create embryos, which were implanted into a surrogate domestic dog, resulting in the birth of the engineered pups.
The company posits that this outcome represents the first instance of an extinct species being resurrected.
Skepticism from Scientific Community
Despite Colossal’s claims, numerous scientists external to the company express reservations about whether these animals constitute a genuine species revival.
“While it’s an impressive genome editing achievement, I wouldn’t categorize it as de-extinction,” commented David Gold, a Paleobiology professor at UC Davis, in a statement to TechCrunch. “They have modified a grey wolf by altering specific genes to resemble a dire wolf, effectively creating a grey wolf-dire wolf hybrid. Furthermore, these animals are not raised within a dire wolf pack and do not hunt in natural wild environments, leading me to anticipate behavioral differences from authentic dire wolves.”
Alexander Young, a statistical genetics professor at UCLA, echoed this viewpoint in a post on X, noting, “This appears considerably exaggerated. The creation of ‘dire wolves’ involved just 20 modifications across 14 genes in the existing gray wolf. In essence, it’s a gray wolf enhanced to possess dire wolf-like traits. It’s a noteworthy accomplishment; however, it’s inaccurate to claim they have ‘resurrected the dire wolf.’”
When questioned about whether the edited grey wolf genes specifically targeted external, visible features of the animal, George Church, Colossal co-founder and genetics professor at Harvard University and MIT, clarified to TechCrunch, “Certain modifications are directed at the skull structure, which is an internal characteristic.”
He further explained that only 0.3% of gray wolf genes were modified to create the engineered dire wolf, with the remaining minor genetic variation intentionally left untouched.
Lamm explained that the company opted against using all recovered dire wolf genes because of concerns that certain genes might induce deafness and blindness. “From an ethical standpoint, we decided against incorporating those particular genes,” he stated.
Considering that Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi are not perfect genetic replicas of the animals that inhabited the earth until approximately 12,000 years ago, the question remains if they can genuinely be classified as de-extincted dire wolves.
According to Gold, this debate is fundamentally philosophical. Another pertinent inquiry arises: why focus on dire wolves?
Conservation Implications: Saving Red Wolves
Lamm revealed that the dire wolf project emerged somewhat unexpectedly. “Following additional funding, we explored potential species for our research,” he explained.
Dire wolves presented a convergence of ideal factors aligning with the priorities of a well-funded, ethically inclined startup with investors knowledgeable in entertainment sectors.
“We aim to integrate de-extinction efforts with tangible conservation initiatives,” Lamm emphasized.
Several years prior, Lamm and Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer, learned from North Carolina government officials about the critically endangered status of red wolves, with fewer than a dozen individuals remaining in the wild in the state. State authorities had been engaged in efforts to prevent their extinction. This information coincided with discussions with North Dakotan Indigenous groups regarding the cultural significance of wolves. Subsequently, George R.R. Martin, author of the Game of Thrones novels, joined the company as an advisor.
“This created an intersection of interests,” Lamm stated. “We could pursue the revival of a culturally relevant species, address concerns of our Indigenous partners, and leverage our technologies to assist in red wolf conservation.”
The identical technology employed to engineer dire wolves was also utilized to produce four red wolf clones. Colossal intends to generate more red wolves and ultimately reintroduce them into their natural habitats, potentially preventing their extinction and enhancing biodiversity.
Regarding future plans for the engineered dire wolves, Lamm indicated the company intends to produce approximately five more animals to establish a pack, mirroring natural wolf behavior. Colossal is also in discussions with Indigenous communities about potential rewilding of dire wolves on their lands. Currently, company scientists and animal specialists are dedicated to observing the health and behavior of their engineered creations.
Business Viability: A $1.2 Billion+ Enterprise?
Another crucial question arises: does Colossal’s demonstrated scientific progress justify investor confidence and escalating valuations? Future developments will determine this, but compelling reasons suggest potential for continued growth.
Lamm has outlined multiple prospective revenue streams for the company. Colossal has already established two spin-off companies and intends to launch three additional ventures in the upcoming two years, including one focused on its artificial womb technology, with potential applications in human fertility treatments.
In the future, the company may also offer its services to governments for endangered species conservation efforts. (Currently, Colossal provides its conservation technology without charge, according to Lamm.)
Finally, should the company successfully resurrect and reintroduce species into their respective ecosystems, it could potentially generate income through the sale of biodiversity credits, a market-based mechanism analogous to carbon credits.