The Process of Resurrection

Colossal, a biotechnology company, has been at the forefront of attempts to resurrect the dire wolf by utilizing its closely related modern relative—the gray wolf. By studying the dire wolf’s genome, the team identified key traits that set this ancient species apart, such as size, musculature, and distinctive coat characteristics. Through advanced gene editing techniques, the researchers made a total of 20 edits across 14 genes to replicate the extinct wolf’s genetic variations.

Defining a Species: A Complex Debate

Despite the modifications, the genetic blueprint of the dire wolf remains highly similar to that of the gray wolf. This resemblance leads to significant questions regarding whether these gene-edited animals can truly be classified as dire wolves. Ben Lamm, a co-founder of Colossal, insists that these animals embody the dire wolf identity, citing the ongoing scientific debate surrounding species classification, which often incorporates a blend of genetic and phenotypic factors.

The Long-Term Vision

George Church, a prominent genetics professor at Harvard University and co-founder of Colossal, envisions a future where a complete dire wolf genome is achieved. In the interim, the focus remains on restoring traits that define the species. This goal supports the assertion that the creatures resulting from this project should be recognized as dire wolves, despite potential taxonomical disagreements.

Expert Opinions

Some experts, including David Jachowski from Clemson University, emphasize the inherent subjectivity in species definitions. He suggests that the ecological role of an animal might be just as critical as its genetic makeup and notes the potential marketing advantages connected to declaring a species as ‘de-extinct.’

The Science Behind the Creation

The genesis of the dire wolf involved collecting blood from a gray wolf and editing a specific type of blood cell known as epithelial progenitor cells to align more closely with the dire wolf’s genetics. This edited DNA was then inserted into an egg cell from a domestic dog, which had its original genetic material removed. After implanting the resulting embryo into surrogate dogs, the project successfully produced several dire wolf pups.

Out of multiple attempts, two surrogates successfully delivered three pups—named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—while some embryo transfers did not result in viable pregnancies.