Scientists have genetically engineered wolf pups to resemble extinct dire wolves, raising thorny questions about the ethics of bringing back species that disappeared thousands of years ago.
Top Takeaways
- Colossal Biosciences has genetically modified gray wolves to include traits from extinct dire wolves through gene editing.
- Critics argue these are not true dire wolves but “designer wolves,” comparing the genetic manipulation to the differences between humans and chimpanzees.
- Ethical concerns include potential habitat problems, inability to release engineered animals into the wild, and diverting resources from conservation of currently endangered species.
- Conservation experts worry that de-extinction efforts could create a “moral hazard” by reducing urgency to protect endangered species if extinction is seen as reversible.
- Colossal defends its work as advancing genetic technologies that could ultimately help conserve endangered species and enhance biodiversity.
The Controversial Birth of Romulus and Remus
Colossal Biosciences recently unveiled what they claim to be the “world’s first successfully de-extincted animal” – genetically engineered wolf pups named Romulus and Remus. The company modified gray wolf DNA to incorporate characteristics of dire wolves, a species extinct for over 12,000 years. The announcement has sparked intense debate among scientists, conservationists, and ethicists about whether these animals truly represent the extinct species and what implications their creation has for conservation efforts.
The genetic modification process involved editing 20 genes, however according to experts, this represents only a tiny fraction of the millions of genetic differences between the two species. Critics point out that while the company claims 99.5% genetic similarity between gray and dire wolves, even this small percentage difference translates to over 12 million individual genetic differences.
U.S.-based biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences claimed to have recreated the appearance of the extinct #DireWolf , which vanished over 10,000 years ago. The male dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, are six months old, and the female, Khaleesi, is three months old. pic.twitter.com/Teg9gcSXwZ
— Panda Paws (@Panda_Paws_) April 9, 2025
Designer Wolves or True De-Extinction?
Many scientists have expressed skepticism about Colossal’s claims, arguing that these animals are not truly dire wolves but rather genetically modified gray wolves. Stuart Pimm, a conservation biologist, didn’t mince words in his assessment: “This is just a big dog with a few genes inserted from a once extinct wolf.” This sentiment has been echoed by numerous experts who question whether the genetic modifications are sufficient to classify these animals as members of an extinct species.
Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, has taken a more pragmatic stance, acknowledging the taxonomic debates while focusing on the practical aspects: “My colleagues in the field of taxonomy are going to be like, ‘It’s not a dire wolf,’ And that’s fine, but to me, if it looks like a dire wolf and it acts like a dire wolf, I’m gonna call it a dire wolf.” The company maintains that their goal was to create healthy animals with dire wolf characteristics, not exact replicas.
Ecological and Ethical Concerns
The creation of these genetically modified wolves raises significant ecological and ethical questions. Critics worry about the potential consequences of introducing such animals into ecosystems that have evolved for thousands of years without dire wolves. There are also concerns about the animals’ well-being, as they lack the social structures and environments that would have supported their extinct ancestors.
Conservation experts point to the more than 41,000 species currently threatened with extinction, including over 16,300 endangered species according to the IUCN Red List. They question whether the substantial resources devoted to de-extinction projects might be better directed toward saving species on the brink. This concern is particularly acute given the potential for de-extinction efforts to create a “moral hazard” by reducing the perceived urgency of conservation if extinction is viewed as reversible.
The Future of De-Extinction Technology
Despite the controversies, Colossal Biosciences maintains that their work advances genetic technologies that could ultimately benefit conservation efforts. The company has also cloned critically endangered red wolves, which could aid in their conservation. Additionally, Colossal is working on other de-extinction projects, including efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth and the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger).
“This is about animal engineering; it’s not about resuscitating ancient species. The conversation is not, ‘Do we bring old species back?’ The conversation is, ‘We’re creating new kinds of creatures. We are modifying creatures in new ways. Should we be doing it?’ There’s a lot of science here that’s potentially very interesting, but given how [Colossal has] spun it, we’re not having that conversation,” said paleontologist and biologist Neil Shubin.
While some view de-extinction as an opportunity to develop cutting-edge genetic technologies, similar to how the moon landing advanced technology in various fields, others raise concerns about potential commercialization and exploitation. Colossal CEO Ben Lamm emphasizes the goal of enhancing biodiversity and points to bipartisan support for their efforts, but critics remain skeptical about whether genetic engineering of extinct species is the most effective way to address our planet’s biodiversity crisis.
