Science meets sci-fi! Colossal Biosciences has unveiled three genetically engineered wolf pups that look like the legendary, extinct dire wolves. With long white fur, muscular jaws, and a current weight of about 80 pounds, these pups are on track to bulk up to nearly 140 pounds by maturity. 🐺🧬
Using ancient DNA from a dire wolf tooth and a skull fragment dug up from museum collections, researchers applied CRISPR technology to modify cells from modern gray wolves. The process involved transferring the edited genetic material into a domestic dog’s egg cell and nurturing the embryos on surrogates. While these pups may look the part, experts note that they merely mimic the appearance of dire wolves without the full range of wild behaviors.
Independent biologists have pointed out that even though the pups look strikingly similar to the extinct dire wolves, they won’t learn the natural hunting techniques from wild dire wolf parents. It’s a high-tech tribute to a past era—a mix of genetic wizardry and nature’s legacy that even feels like it’s straight out of a futuristic film!
In addition, Colossal Biosciences has made headlines by cloning red wolves using blood drawn from wild populations, aiming to boost genetic diversity. This breakthrough method could spark new opportunities for wildlife conservation and restoration, proving that science continues to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible.
Stay tuned as these scientific adventures unfold, merging the marvels of modern genetics with the fascinating echoes of a prehistoric world!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
