• Colossal Biosciences claims to have created dire wolf pups through gene editing, not full de-extinction, using gray wolf DNA as a base.
• Experts raise ethical concerns regarding habitat availability, potential ecological disruption, and the diversion of resources from conserving extant species.
• The effort highlights the complexities of conservation, genetic diversity, and the debate over whether de-extinction is a valuable tool or a distraction from existing conservation challenges.

Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company, has announced the creation of dire wolf pups, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, through genetic engineering. While the company brands itself as 'the de-extinction company,' experts clarify that the pups are synthetic hybrids, engineered to express dire wolf traits using gray wolf DNA. This announcement has sparked debate about the ethics and practicality of de-extinction, raising questions about habitat availability, potential ecological impacts, and the allocation of conservation resources. The effort underscores the increasing importance of integrating synthetic biology, conservation genomics, and bioethics into scientific discussions.

• What: Colossal Biosciences claims to have created dire wolf pups, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, through genetic engineering by editing a few genes from gray wolves.
• Who: Colossal Biosciences, George R.R. Martin, Doug Burgum, Pontus Skoglund, Frank Fontanella, Pepper Trail
• When: Announcement made recently, with ongoing debate in May 2025. Dire wolves thrived for over 200,000 years until around 10,000 years ago.
• Where: Colossal Biosciences (location undisclosed). Dire wolves once inhabited North America, with remains found from Alaska to Peru.

The creation of 'dire wolves' by Colossal Biosciences has ignited a complex debate about de-extinction, conservation priorities, and the role of genetic engineering. Critics argue that the effort diverts resources from conserving existing endangered species and that the engineered pups are not true dire wolves, but rather hybrids. Questions also arise about the availability of suitable habitats and the potential ecological impact of introducing these animals. The endorsement of de-extinction by figures like Doug Burgum raises concerns about the underlying motivations, particularly regarding potential deregulation and increased fossil fuel extraction on public lands. The success stories of the Endangered Species Act are contrasted with the slow delisting rate due to small initial populations and insufficient funding, suggesting that focusing on protecting existing species and their habitats remains the most effective conservation strategy.

Would a chimpanzee with 20 gene edits be human? … These individuals seem optimistically 1/100,000th dire wolf.

This research holds significant potential for positive impact, particularly if applied to species whose extinction has been driven by modern human activities.

The revival of the Dire Wolf heralds the advent of a thrilling new era of scientific wonder, showcasing how the concept of de-extinction can serve as a bedrock for modern species conservation.

Colossal Biosciences' 'dire wolf' project, while a feat of genetic engineering, ignites intense debate regarding conservation priorities and ethical boundaries. Although marketed as "de-extinction," experts highlight the engineered pups are gray wolf hybrids exhibiting select dire wolf traits. The core of the controversy questions whether resources should be channeled into reviving extinct species or directed towards safeguarding extant endangered species and their fragile habitats. Concerns extend to the potential ecological ramifications of introducing these hybrids, challenging the long-held emphasis on preserving unbroken chains of ancestry and kinship within ecosystems. Furthermore, the project brings forth fundamental ethical dilemmas regarding human intervention in natural extinction processes, potentially disrupting the balance of nature and raising questions about animal welfare. As conservation strategies evolve, integrating new technologies with responsible resource allocation and a commitment to protecting existing biodiversity remains paramount.