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Reviving the Ice Age Predator: Genetically Engineered Wolf Pups Born
Scientists have announced a significant step towards resurrecting the extinct dire wolf, a formidable predator that roamed the Americas during the Ice Age. Colossal Biosciences, a U.S.-based company, revealed the birth of three genetically engineered wolf pups exhibiting characteristics of the extinct Ice Age species. This initiative raises complex questions about de-extinction and biodiversity.
“De-extincted” Dire Wolves: A New Reality?
Approximately 13,000 years after the dire wolf vanished, Colossal Biosciences, located in Dallas, has taken strides to bring back this iconic creature, reminiscent of the fictional beasts in “Game of Thrones.” The company declared the arrival of three wolf pups, notable for their pure white coats, created using ancient DNA recovered from fossilized dire wolf remains.
The organization is heralding these pups as dire wolves and proclaiming this event as the world’s first successful case of animal “de-extinction.” They suggest this methodology could be applied to revive other extinct species if ancient DNA is accessible.
Expert Caution on Genetic Modification
However, external experts express more reservation. They classify the pups as genetically modified gray wolves, as their creation involved gene editing of gray wolf DNA to incorporate dire wolf traits. The gray wolf is recognized as the closest living relative to the extinct dire wolf.
Pup Names and Physical Attributes
The litter includes two male pups, named Romulus and Remus, referencing the mythical founders of Rome nurtured by a wolf, and a female named Khaleesi, inspired by a “Game of Thrones” character.
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According to Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, all three pups are notably large for their age in comparison to gray wolves. Romulus and Remus, at six months old, weigh about 80 pounds (36 kg), while two-month-old Khaleesi weighs around 25 pounds (11 kg).
Colossal Biosciences indicates that dire wolves were up to 25% larger than gray wolves, distinguished by a somewhat broader head and more powerful jaw structure.
Scientific Methodology: Ancient DNA and Gene Editing
Company scientists extracted ancient DNA from two dire wolf fossils: a tooth from Sheridan Pit, Ohio, dating back roughly 13,000 years, and an inner ear bone from American Falls, Idaho, approximately 72,000 years old.
Twenty gray wolf genes were modified using this DNA to introduce dire wolf characteristics into gray wolf cells. Through cloning techniques, embryos were produced from these edited cells and implanted into surrogate domestic dog mothers. Three different dogs carried the pups to term.
Defining “De-extinction” Success
“We define de-extinction success as restoring the functional ecological roles that made dire wolves unique contributors to their ecosystem, and our dire wolves exemplify that,” stated Shapiro.
When questioned about the appropriateness of calling the pups dire wolves, Shapiro responded, “I feel this discussion somewhat overlooks the central point. Species classifications are essentially human-made constructs that often do not perfectly align with natural populations. We developed them to better understand the natural world.”
Shapiro further clarified, “De-extinction is not about creating exact genetic replicas of individual animals. It’s about reinstating lost ecological functions and enriching biodiversity.”
Skepticism Regarding “Slight Modifications”
Corey Bradshaw, a global ecology professor at Flinders University in Australia, expressed doubt regarding the company’s announcement and the practicality of resurrecting an extinct species.
Bradshaw told Reuters TV, “Essentially, they have genetically tweaked wolves, potentially. And that may be the optimal outcome achievable. These minor alterations appear to originate from recovered dire wolf material. Does this constitute a dire wolf? No. Does it create a slightly altered gray wolf? Yes.”
Pups Thriving in Protected Environment
Shapiro indicated that the pups are flourishing in a secure ecological sanctuary spanning over 2,000 acres (810 hectares), though the precise location remains undisclosed. She anticipates they could reach weights of 100 to 150 pounds (45-68 kg) and stand 32 to 40 inches (81-102 cm) tall at the shoulder.
Dire Wolves in Prehistoric America
Dire wolves formerly ranged across North and South America as a highly successful Ice Age predator, coexisting with creatures such as saber-toothed cats and giant short-faced bears. Fossils of dire wolves have been unearthed across North America, from Alaska to southern Mexico, with significant finds at the Rancho La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles.
Evolutionary Origins and Genetic Insights
Prior research had not definitively established their evolutionary origins, leading to speculation that jackals might be their closest extant relatives. Colossal stated that their high-quality dire wolf genome analysis revealed the gray wolf as the nearest living relative, sharing 99.5% of their DNA with dire wolves.
Company scientists also concluded that the dire wolf lineage emerged between 3.5 and 2.5 million years ago due to hybridization between two ancient canid lineages.
Cultural and Ecological Significance of De-extinction
“Certain extinct species, like the dire wolf, possess profound cultural importance for indigenous communities or played crucial roles in human history. Their revival could aid in preserving cultural heritage and conventional ecological understanding,” Shapiro noted.