The Story So Far
Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company in Texas, claimed to have "resurrected" the extinct dire wolf.
The company announced the birth of three dire wolf pups, with videos of them howling going viral, claiming their howls were the first in 10,000 years.
Have Dire Wolves Been De-Extincted?
Colossal's claim about resurrecting the dire wolf is based on editing the DNA of a gray wolf, not bringing back a true dire wolf.
Dire wolf and gray wolf genomes are 99.94% identical, but this small difference (0.06%) still leads to significant genetic differences.
Colossal edited the gray wolf genome to closely resemble a dire wolf, but the new pups are not genetically identical to dire wolves. They are closer to modified gray wolves.
What Changes Did Scientists Make?
Colossal edited 20 specific genes in the gray wolf genome to give it characteristics like a larger size and different fur color, mimicking a dire wolf's appearance.
These genetic modifications focus on cosmetic traits, and the changes made are minimal in comparison to what would be needed to create a true dire wolf.
Why Is De-Extinction Controversial?
Reintroducing extinct species, like the dire wolf, is risky because modern ecosystems are very different from those that existed thousands of years ago.
The environment has changed drastically, and bringing back extinct animals might disrupt current ecosystems, causing harm rather than restoration.
How Is Conservation Changing?
The focus on de-extinction could shift attention away from protecting existing species and ecosystems.
Some lawmakers, influenced by innovations like Colossal's, may favor technological solutions over stronger government regulations for protecting endangered species.
While de-extinction is fascinating, experts believe efforts should be focused on preserving current species and ecosystems rather than resurrecting extinct ones.
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