Extinct species coming back !! Ever heard of Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi? The first ever Dire wolves to have been resurrected in over 12,000 years! Romulus and Remus, the male pups, were born at Colossal Labs and Biosciences, located in Dallas, Texas, on October 1,2024. The most recent female pup, Khaleesi, was born on January 30, 2025. However, the wolf pups were not brought back from extinction, but genetically modified.
It was said that, by using ancient DNA from the bones of actual dire wolves dating back to 13,000 years and 72,000 years, CRISPR gene editing, Cloning and Embryo Transfer and Surrogate births, scientists at Colossal Labs and Biosciences were able to create the Dire Wolf pups.
The genes within their bones
A detailed explanation of how the Dire Wolves were created is right here. By observing the genes within their bones, scientists were able to see the difference between the genes of a Gray Wolf, the closest relative of the Dire Wolf, and the genes of Dire Wolves. Next, they started to modify the genes using CRISPR gene editing to Gray Wolf DNA and make 20 changes to 14 genes to bring out the physical characteristics of Dire Wolves – such as a larger body complexion, broader head and white colored coat.
The edited Gray wolf cells were cloned and inserted into domesticated dog eggs, which were then allowed to develop into embryos. Finally the embryos were implanted into domestic dogs, which gave birth to the Dire Wolf pups. However, there is debate that Colossal Labs and Biosciences didn’t bring back the Dire Wolf, but have created something totally new. Yes, Extinct species coming back !!
Dire or not
A 2021 study explains that the Dire Wolf didn’t have a white coat, but would have resembled, “a giant, reddish coyote.” So, the labs have artificially created a genetically modified Gray Wolf. At this point, we might as well say that the so called “Dire Wolf” might be a Gray Wolf with modifications. However, to really consider Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi “Dire or not”, we must see them as a full growm adult specimen.
None the less, this is still a feat that must be respected. Even if Colossal Labs haven’t resurrected the Dire Wolves back from the dead, scientists will consider the pups to be a totally different species. Yes, though on paper it may say that the pups are just Gray Wolves with modifications, it will be considered probably an entirely different species.
Take the movie Jurassic Park as an example. All the dinosaurs’ genes were inserted with frog DNA and genes. As a result, all the dinosaurs looked absolutely nothing like their real life counterparts. They also were made to look “cooler” than the real deal. Well, if your still reading this blog upto this point, kudos to you. I mean, not everyone reads blogs or newspapers these days.
Extinct species coming back !!
There is a debate on whether we should invest our money into the recreation or resurrection of old species or focus on current endangered species and their conservation. I stand to protect the current endangered species. There’s also a fear that when these modified animal are released into the wild, they may cause disruption in the ecosystem and in the food chain. Animals help us a lot in maintaining the ecosystem. (Click to know Animal Architectures.)With this, it’s time to wrap up this blog.
Author: Kaushik Karthikayan, Grade 8
