Three unique-looking wolf pups have just been born in an American laboratory. Their special feature? Their DNA combines genes from gray wolves and sequences dating back 13,000 years.
Photo of the giant wolves Romulus and Remus at one month old.
This birth marks a key milestone in "de-extinction" research, a controversial field aimed at bringing extinct species back to life. Led by the company Colossal Biosciences, this project relies on unprecedented genetic engineering techniques, opening unexpected possibilities for animal conservation.
A genetic rebirth
Scientists extracted DNA from two fossils of giant wolves (
Canis dirus, an ancestor that inspired the fearsome canid in the series "Game of Thrones"): a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull.
Using the CRISPR-Cas9 tool, genetic sequences were integrated into gray wolf cells, their closest living relatives. The modified embryos were then implanted into surrogate female dogs, resulting in the birth of three healthy pups.
However, this hybrid approach raises questions. The resulting wolves are not perfect clones of their ancestors but genetic chimeras. Their behavior and ecological role remain to be studied.
A tool for conservation?
The resurrection of an extinct species is a world first. However, Colossal Biosciences defends the usefulness of these technologies to simultaneously save endangered (but not yet extinct) species. Indeed, the company has cloned four red wolves, a critically endangered species.
Some experts applaud these advances, while others worry about financial priorities and ecological risks. Reintroducing extinct species could disrupt already fragile ecosystems.
For now, the giant wolves live in a secure reserve under constant monitoring. Their future, like that of de-extinction, remains to be written.
To go further: What is de-extinction?
De-extinction refers to the resurrection of extinct species through genetic techniques. Unlike traditional cloning, it often relies on hybridization of ancient and modern DNA.
Supporters see it as a way to restore ecosystems or correct extinctions caused by humans. Critics highlight high costs and unpredictable impacts on current biodiversity.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND