Cloning of prehistoric giant wolves generates enthusiasm on social networks But also criticism from experts who question the veracity and ethics of the project, arguing that it is only slightly modified gray wolves and not a true resurrection of extinct species.
A biotechnology company in the United States claims to have created extinct wolf puppies for over 12,000 years. Revelation caused enthusiasm in social networks, but also criticism of the scientific community
A a US startup specializing in genetic engineering, released images of three young wolves with characteristics similar to those of the giant wolves Dog dreadan extinct species in North America.
The announcement promises to revolutionize the science of decistination – but many experts doubt the truth of the experience.
A return of the past?
Three wolves with white hair like snow. Colossal Biosciences introduced them as Dog dread Risen: A kind of giant wolf that disappeared over 12,000 years ago. The images and videos of these puppies, baptized Romulle, Remo and Khaleeithey spread rapidly on social networks, accompanied by bold statements from the company.
“For the first time in the history of humanity, we have restored a successful extinguished species,” he proclaimed the colossal.
How giant wolves were created
According to the company, the process began with DNA analysis extracted from two prehistoric lobe fossils: A tooth and a bone with about 13 thousand and 72 thousand years. By comparing this genetic material with modern gray wolf DNA, the investigators concluded that the species were 99.5% similar.
“By identifying the differences associated with size, muscles and coat, we edited the genome of a gray wolf to include these genetic variants,” explained Beth Shapiro, chief scientist of the project, in an interview with AP.
The edition was made using the CRISPR-CAS9 Technologyoften used in human genetics.
Then edited cells were cloned and implanted in non -fertilized eggs in a process similar to in vitro fertilization. The result, according to colossal, are Wolves with phenotypic strokes similar to those of the extinct species.
Food and Behavior
Matt James, responsible for animal welfare in Colossal, says puppies are developing instinctive behaviors such as pursuing prey and chewing bones.
“They eat cow, deer and horse. They have already started experimenting with whole prey. They show hunting instincts, but they will not know how to kill an alce – these are social learnings they will not have,” he told AP.
“A slightly modified gray wolf”
Corey Bradshaw, Professor of Global Ecology at Flinders University, is categorical:
“This is not a terrible wolf. It is, at best, a slightly modified gray wolf.”
According to the investigator, the changes made to the DNA are limited and do not constitute the recreation of an extinct species. Bradshaw also criticizes the absence of strict evidence:
“When there are grand promises without scientific evidence, a huge red flag is raised,” he told Reuters.
Limited technology and genetic problems
The expert recalls that science does not yet allow to reconstruct complete genomes of extinct species. Fossil DNA is usually degraded, making it impossible to recreate a functional genome.
Even if it was possible to clone several individuals, there would be serious genetic risks.
“It would take thousands of genetically diverse animals to form a viable population. Two or three are not enough. This leads to the consanguinity and rapid extinction of the new population,” according to Bradshaw.
“What they did was genetically edit a gray wolf to look superficially with a giant wolf. But we don’t even know how these wolves were,” AFP Vincent Lynch of Buffalo University told AFP.
Ethical questions and environmental priorities
The initiative also raises ethical doubts. Ronald Sandler, director of the Northeastern University Institute of Ethics, fears that projects like this distract from the essentials:
“The important thing is to solve the causes of extinction. We cannot fall into the illusion that everything is resolved by bringing the species back,” he said in statements to AFP.
Resurrect other extinct animals
co -founder and CEO of stated that the company intends to produce the first hubs similar to mammoths by 2028 and “It is highly likely that another species can be achieved before that”said Lamm, referring to other company projects: o dodo (Raphus hooded) and the (Thylacinus cynocephalus).
In March this year, the company releasedwhich was already generating controversy.
