Company Claims First De-extinction of Dire Wolves
The Facts
- Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of three genetically modified gray wolves — two males (Romulus and Remus) in October 2024 and a female (Khaleesi) in January — which the company claims represents the first successful de-extinction of dire wolves.
- The company extracted DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull from Idaho, using this genetic information to edit 20 sites across 14 genes in gray wolves to express specific dire wolf traits — including light-colored coats and larger body size.
- The modified wolves, which share 99.5% of their DNA with gray wolves, are being raised in a secure 2,000-acre ecological preserve in the northern United States, with full-time staff, veterinary care, and extensive security measures.
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
The successful creation of these modified wolves represents a groundbreaking achievement in de-extinction technology that could help address biodiversity loss and protect endangered species. The project demonstrates how cutting-edge genetic engineering can be used responsibly to restore lost species while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.
Techno-skeptic narrative
These animals are not true dire wolves but rather genetically modified gray wolves with only a few engineered traits. The project raises disturbing ethical concerns about altering animal genomes and creating artificial versions of extinct species, while potentially diverting resources from protecting currently endangered species.
Metaculus Prediction
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