Scientists Claim to Have Brought Back the Dire Wolf
In a secret location in the United States, two white wolves, named Romulus and Remus, have made history as part of a groundbreaking project by Colossal Biosciences, which claims to de-extinct the dire wolf, a species that went extinct more than 10,000 years ago. These 5-month-old wolf pups are genetically edited descendants of gray wolves, aimed at resembling their ancient relatives.
Key Points
- The dire wolves are genetically modified from gray wolves to exhibit traits of their extinct ancestors.
- Colossal Biosciences has successfully created three dire wolves so far and plans to produce a total of seven to eight.
- The project aims to draw attention to biodiversity and conservation efforts while retaining the ecological roles of predators.
- Romulus and Remus were born from different mothers, showcasing genetic editing techniques that merge ancient DNA with modern genetics.
- Colossal has also cloned critically endangered red wolves, enhancing genetic diversity to aid in their conservation.
Why should I read this?
This article explores the fascinating intersection of biotechnology and wildlife conservation, highlighting how de-extinction could potentially reshape our understanding of biodiversity. Through the ongoing narrative of the dire wolf, a cultural icon revived through science, Colossal promotes awareness of extant species, particularly those that are endangered, underscoring the urgent need to address the biodiversity crisis.
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