A groundbreaking achievement in de-extinction science has been made by Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences. Using ancient DNA and cutting-edge gene-editing technology, the team has successfully created three dire wolf pups, effectively reviving a species thought to be extinct for over 12,500 years.
Colossal’s scientists assembled two high-quality Aenocyon dirus genomes from dire wolf fossils and compared them with those of living canids to identify genetic variants specific to the extinct species. They then used this information to alter gray wolf cells, making 20 edits in 14 genes before cloning the most promising cell lines.
The three dire wolf pups were born on October 1, 2024, and January 30, 2025, at a secure facility enclosed by 10-foot-tall fencing. The company has taken extensive precautions to ensure animal welfare, including registering with the US Department of Agriculture and obtaining certification from the American Humane Society.
This achievement is significant not only for its scientific breakthrough but also for its potential impact on conservation efforts. Colossal aims to use similar technologies to help endangered animals, such as the critically endangered red wolf species.
While some critics have raised concerns about the ethics and practicality of de-extinction, experts like Professor Love Dalén acknowledge that this technology has the potential to revive species that have become extinct due to human activities.
As Colossal continues to refine its techniques, it remains to be seen whether these revived species will be able to thrive in their natural habitats. However, for now, this milestone marks a major step forward in de-extinction science and raises hopes for the preservation of endangered species.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/07/science/dire-wolf-de-extinction-cloning-colossal/index.html