News Summary

Colossal Biosciences, a startup focused on ‘de-extinction,’ has announced the successful creation of dire wolves, animals that have been extinct for over 12,000 years. The project has led to a $10.2 billion valuation for the company. Using CRISPR technology, Colossal’s scientists edited genes from gray wolves to mimic the dire wolf’s appearance. This breakthrough, however, has sparked debate among scientists, with some arguing that the animals are not truly de-extinct but rather hybrids. The company plans to use similar technology to aid in the conservation of near-extinct red wolves and is considering re-wilding these species. Colossal aims to generate revenue through biodiversity credits and conservation services, though the commercial viability of its scientific advancements remains under scrutiny.