Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered three wolf pups to resemble extinct dire wolves, which are much larger than gray wolves. The researchers used ancient DNA from fossils to identify specific traits of dire wolves and then used CRISPR technology to modify the genes of living gray wolves. The genetically engineered pups were born in domestic dog surrogates and are now being cared for by experts at Colossal.
While the pups may physically resemble dire wolves, they may not learn behaviors specific to that species, such as hunting techniques, as they won’t have wild dire wolf parents to learn from. Colossal has also successfully cloned four red wolves using blood drawn from wild wolves in an effort to increase genetic diversity and save the critically endangered red wolf population. This technology may have broader applications for conservation efforts, as it is less invasive than other cloning techniques.
However, scientists warn that there are limitations to using genetic engineering to bring back extinct species. Ecological functions that extinct species once performed may no longer be relevant in today’s landscapes. Despite these limitations, Colossal’s work has garnered praise from officials at the U.S. Interior Department, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum calling it a “new era of scientific wonder.” Overall, the research represents a significant step forward in genetic engineering and conservation efforts.
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