A company called Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered three wolf pups to resemble extinct dire wolves that went extinct more than 10,000 years ago. The pups have long white hair, muscular jaws, and weigh around 80 pounds at three to six months of age, on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity.
The researchers at Colossal Biosciences studied ancient DNA from fossils to learn about the specific traits of dire wolves. Using CRISPR technology, they genetically modified cells from a living gray wolf and transferred the genetic material to an egg cell from a domestic dog. The manipulated embryos were then transferred to surrogates, resulting in the birth of genetically engineered pups that physically resemble young dire wolves.
Despite the physical similarities, the pups may never learn the behaviors necessary for survival in the wild, such as hunting. Colossal Biosciences has also cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves to increase genetic diversity in the captive red wolf population.
While this technology may have broader applications for species conservation, experts caution that restoring extinct species may not have the desired ecological impact. While Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the project as a “scientific wonder,” scientists note that genetically engineering animals may not fully revive extinct species and may not be able to perform ecological functions on existing landscapes.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
