De-extinction of Dire Wolf: Is the Once-extinct Dire Wolf Back?

Context: Recently, Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotechnology company, announced the birth of three dire wolf pups.

What is De-Extinction?

• De-extinction is the process of reviving extinct species using technologies like:
  • Gene editing (e.g., CRISPR)
  • Cloning
  • Cross-breeding with modern relatives.
• Colossal’s De-extinction Targets: Woolly mammoth, Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) & Dodo.

How was it done?

• Scientists edited the genome of gray wolves at 20 loci (specific genome locations) across 14 genes.
• These embryos were then implanted into surrogate dog mothers, leading to the birth of the pups.
• The edits were cosmetic, aiming to replicate the dire wolf’s appearance, not its behaviour or full biology.
• Only 02% of the genome was modified — far from a full recreation of the dire wolf genome.
• Genetically, the pups are gray wolves with minor cosmetic modifications.

Why is De-Extinction Controversial?

Scientific Concerns

Reintroducing extinct animals into ecosystems may:

• Disrupt existing biodiversity
• Harm modern ecosystems not adapted to support them.

Habitat Change Over Millennia

Ancient habitats that supported species like the dire wolf:

• Had a different climate, prey species and plant communities.
• Modern landscapes are fragmented and human-altered.

Sharing is caring!