Colossal Biosciences has genetically engineered three wolf pups resembling extinct dire wolves at an undisclosed location in the U.S. These pups, aged three to six months, have been modified to have traits of dire wolves using CRISPR technology. While they physically resemble dire wolves, they will not have the opportunity to learn behaviors from wild dire wolf parents.
The company has also cloned four red wolves using blood from wild wolves to help increase genetic diversity in the captive population. This technology could have broader applications for conservation efforts in other species, as it is less invasive than other cloning techniques. However, sedating a wild wolf for a blood draw is still a challenge.
While the project has been praised by the U.S. Interior Department, some scientists caution against the limitations of restoring extinct species. Bringing back the dire wolf may not serve the same ecological function in today’s landscapes as it did in the past. Despite this, Colossal CEO Ben Lamm sees this as a new era of scientific wonder.
Overall, the genetically engineered wolf pups and cloned red wolves demonstrate the potential for genetic engineering and cloning technologies to aid in conservation efforts. However, it is important to consider the ecological implications and limitations of bringing back extinct species.
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