Catherine Salonga

Many people consider the de-extinction of a long-lost animal science fiction, but on April 7, Colossal Laboratories & Biosciences — a biotechnology company — shocked the internet with their announcement of the dire wolf’s return.

Despite claims of de-extinction, the return of long-dead animals may look different from what the public expected. Scientists at Colossal Labs modified a grey wolf’s genes to be more closely related to those of a dire wolf. In total, 20 grey wolf genes out of 20,000 were changed. So, it is less of a de-extinction and more of creating a brand new species, which is just as novel.

Online Colossal Labs is facing backlash from all sides- those that believe they should not play god and those upset at their claim to have. While it is clear the claim of de-extinction of an animal is a ploy for attention, it begs the question, would the world have paid attention to this news if it had been a reading of facts. Genes changed has less of a ring to it than “we brought an animal back.” 

It is important that the world follows this story because Colossal Labs’ development is hugely significant. It leads to important discussions that will help plan for the future. For example, where do these animals go now that the ecosystem in which they lived is gone? Having these discussions now will help advise future scientists as these advancements develop. 

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Colossal Labs research is particularly exciting in the cases of animals that are not yet extinct but are endangered. As Chief Animal Officer Matt James explained in the press release, “As we lose species within an ecosystem, if you think of a Jenga puzzle, you’re sort of pulling blocks out of there. The ecosystem’s blocks that create instability are the functions that animals play. If we can find ways to restore animals that provide that specific function, we can create more stability within an ecosystem.” 

Through this process, Colossal Labs hopes to place their lab species into dying existing ecosystems to maintain the population. According to a United Nations report, an estimated one million species are in danger of becoming extinct, with more than half of all species becoming extinct by 2050. Colossal Labs is doing exciting work and is leading the worldwide discussion on preventing the loss of biodiversity.