‘De-extinct’ dire wolves show ‘proof of concept’: Colossal adviser

(NewsNation) — Colossal Biosciences claims to have made "the world’s first de-extinct animals," a pair of wolves named Romulus and Remus who were created using a complete dire wolf genome.

Colossal adviser and wildlife biologist Forrest Galante told NewsNation the company engineered the canines through gene-editing techniques and ancient DNA "plugged" into a dire wolf's closest living relative.

"They've taken a gray wolf and turned it into something that represents a dire wolf," Galante said. "This animal will never be released back into the wild. That was never an intent for that. This was just to show a proof of concept."

The team calls the process "de-extinction," which Galante said could help "repair fragmented and damaged ecosystems by replacing animals that human beings have wrongfully driven towards extinction."

Colossal has previously announced similar projects to genetically alter cells from living species to create animals resembling extinct woolly mammoths, dodos and others.

Scientists have pushed back on Colossal's use of the term.

Romulus and Remus, both 3-months old and genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP)This undated photo shows two pups that were genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP)A young wolf that was genetically engineered with similarities to the extinct dire wolf. (Colossal Biosciences via AP)

Nic Rawlence, an associate professor and director of the Paleogenetics Laboratory at New Zealand’s University of Otago, told the Washington Post, “The reality is we can’t de-extinct extinct creatures because we can’t use cloning — the DNA is just not well enough preserved."

“What Colossal is trying to do is genetically engineering animals to look like extinct creatures,” Rawlence told the outlet. “They look cute and cuddly, but … they’re not a dire wolf.”

According to Colossal's website, its definition of de-extinction is not simply cloning but "merging the biodiversity of the past with the innovations of the present."

Concerns surrounding genetic tampering and the potential proliferation of de-extinction endeavors have existed for years.

Funneling funding toward projects like Colossal's, rather than traditional conservation efforts, could actually lead to biodiversity loss on the whole, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at the University of Montana, told the Associated Press he's hopeful the technology could help conservation efforts, as it's a much less invasive way to clone animals.

Galante said Romulus and Remus will live as though they are "in sort of a zoo or rescue center," with outdoor space but no public viewing.

"These guys will not be, as far as I'm aware, on display or going anywhere the public can interact with them," he said. "They just get to have a very peaceful life."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.