Colossal Biosciences announced the "de-extinction" of the dire wolf, creating three animals with 15 gene edits from gray wolves. This claim drew both media attention and criticism from the genetics community.
Experts, such as Paul Knoepfler from UC Davis, challenged Colossal's claims, stating that the created animals are not true dire wolves and that the company's hype is harmful to science. Colossal counters that the focus on the name distracts from the scientific achievement of developing new models for ancient DNA extraction.
Colossal's announcement involved a significant media rollout featuring articles in Time magazine and a segment on Good Morning America. Critics argue that the company prioritized marketing over a nuanced scientific assessment.
The article discusses ethical and ecological concerns surrounding de-extinction, including:
Concerns about de-extinction's impact on conservation efforts were already evident when President Trump's Interior Secretary cited Colossal's work as a reason to potentially overhaul endangered species regulations.
Colossal has various projects, including the de-extinction of woolly mammoths and dodo birds. The company foresees a potential market for biodiversity credits, similar to carbon credits.
Colossal's work showcases advancements in genetic engineering but its marketing strategy overemphasized the accomplishment. The scientific community questions whether the work truly constitutes de-extinction. Ethical and ecological implications remain a critical consideration.