'Our animals are gray wolves': Colossal didn't de-extinct dire wolves, chief scientist clarifies
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
On April 7, the biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences announced it had brought dire wolves back from extinction, explicitly stating it was "the rebirth of the once extinct dire wolf." Now, its chief scientist has clarified that those animals weren't really dire wolves.
Three snowy white wolves, Khaleesi, Romulus and Remus, made global headlines when the biotechnology company claimed they were the world's first de-extincted dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus), brought back after over 10,000 years of extinction. Researchers were quick to criticize the claim as misleading, noting that the wolves were simply genetically modified gray wolves (Canis lupus).
In a new interview, Colossal's chief science officer Beth Shapiro has confirmed that the "dire wolves" are indeed just gray wolves with 20 modified genes. However, she also argued that the company never tried to hide the wolves' identity.
"It's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive. Our animals are grey wolves with 20 edits that are cloned," Shapiro told New Scientist. "And we've said that from the very beginning. Colloquially, they're calling them dire wolves and that makes people angry."
Related: 6 extinct species that scientists could bring back to life — and 1 they have already resurrected
Shapiro's latest comment isn't a significant departure from what she and the company have said previously. Colossal argues that if they create an animal that looks like a dire wolf, then they can call it a dire wolf. Last month, Shapiro said in a Reddit video: "We chose to call them dire wolves because they look like dire wolves and reflect the key traits we found by sequencing their genome."
Part of the controversy stems from there being lots of different definitions for a species. Shapiro previously told New Scientist that they are using the "morphological species concept," which means defining a species based on morphology, or appearance.
However, most scientists work from the "biological species concept," which means a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. That means while animals in the same species may look the same, their appearance doesn't define them as a species.
In the case of the dire wolf, it went extinct more than 10,000 years ago, so researchers haven't seen one. Furthermore, Colossal doesn't always explain its nuanced approach to naming animals in its communications.
When Colossal unveiled its wolves, it released a statement — and other documents, posts and videos — that presented the animals as dire wolves, not genetically modified gray wolves. The company explained how it had edited the genes of gray wolves and detailed the process, but the top line was the birth of the "once extinct dire wolf," not a modified gray wolf.
"We didn't ever hide that that's what it was," Shapiro told New Scientist. "People were mad because we were calling them dire wolves. Then they say to us, but they're just grey wolves with 20 edits. But the point is we said that from the beginning. They're grey wolves with 20 edits."
Live Science approached Colossal for comment, and the company restated that it had brought back the dire wolf.
"In our press release, we stated we made 20 gene edits to grey wolf cells," a spokesperson for the company said. "Grey wolves are the closest living relative to the dire wolves, as we showed in our paper. With those edits, we have brought back the dire wolf…"
"We have also said that species are ultimately a human construct and that other scientists have a right to disagree and call them whatever they want to call them. Khaleesi, Romulus and Remus are the first dire wolves to walk the Earth in 12,000 years. They are doing amazingly well and are a testament to what we can achieve as we continue on our goal of bringing back the dodo, thylacine, and woolly mammoth, among other species."
Colossal's scientists based their genetically modified wolves on dire wolf DNA, which they extracted from fossils. They then collected cells from gray wolf blood and modified those cells to resemble what they found in the dire wolf genome. Next, they inserted the modified cells' DNA into gray wolf egg cells, and put the resulting embryos into the womb of a domestic dog.
RELATED STORIES
—How related are dire wolves and gray wolves? The answer might surprise you.
—Oldest-known North American woolly mammoth revealed in 'long-lost' ancient DNA
—'We didn't know they were going to be this cute': Scientists unveil genetically engineered 'woolly mice'
Genetically modifying the wolves was a long and complicated process, but Colossal only made 20 tweaks to 14 gray wolf genes, changing traits like hair color and body size. However, while the two species share a lot of the same DNA, there are many genetic differences between them.
"Colossal has said that the gray wolf and dire wolf genomes are 99.5% identical, but that is still 12,235,000 individual differences," Nic Lawrence, a paleogeneticist and associate professor at the University of Otago in New Zealand, previously told Vox. "So a gray wolf with 20 edits to 14 genes, even if these are key differences, is still very much a gray wolf."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
These 2 Foods May Help Lower Your Chronic Disease Risk, New Study Says
Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RDA new study suggests that eating a cup of black beans or chickpeas each day offers protective health benefits. The black bean group had lower inflammation, while the chickpea group had lower cholesterol. Both black beans and chickpeas are good sources of plant-based protein and if the key to a healthier heart and improved metabolic health was sitting in your pantry all along? A new study shines a spotlight on the humble black bean and chickpea, both affordable and versatile staples, as potential gamechangers for reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Researchers have discovered that regularly eating just a cup of beans a day may offer significant benefits, and the results were shared this week at a meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando, Florida. Let's unpack what they found. To determine how certain foods may impact health outcomes, a total of 72 adults with prediabetes participated and were randomly divided into three groups. Each group was instructed to consume one of three daily options for 12 weeks: 1 cup of black beans, 1 cup of chickpeas or 1 cup of rice as a control. Researchers allowed participants to remain in their regular home environments, referred to as "free-living conditions," rather than keeping them in a controlled laboratory setting. By allowing participants to maintain their normal lifestyles while incorporating the assigned food into their everyday meals, the study aimed to imitate realistic dietary practices. To measure the effects of these dietary changes, researchers used a variety of health markers. Blood samples were collected at the start of the study, midway at six weeks, and again at the conclusion of the 12 weeks. These samples were analyzed to track significant biochemical changes, including cholesterol levels, inflammation markers and glucose metabolism. Additionally, glucose tolerance tests were performed at the beginning and the end of the study to further evaluate insulin response and blood sugar control. Over the 12-week study period, researchers observed notable improvements in markers of heart and metabolic health among participants who consumed either black beans or chickpeas daily. For the chickpea group, total cholesterol levels decreased significantly by nearly 15 milligrams per deciliter, dropping from an average of 200.4 mg/dL to 185.8 mg/dL. This reduction is significant, as high cholesterol is a major factor contributing to heart disease. Meanwhile, participants who incorporated black beans into their diet saw significant reductions in inflammation, as evidenced by lower levels of the pro-inflammatory marker interleukin-6. These findings highlight how even simple dietary changes like swapping in nutrient-dense foods such as beans and chickpeas can have measurable health outcomes. Interestingly, while both chickpeas and black beans showed benefits in cholesterol and inflammation markers, the study did not find significant differences in glucose metabolism or blood sugar levels across any of the groups by the end of the study. Despite this, researchers stress the importance of legumes as a versatile, affordable, and accessible food option capable of supporting overall health, particularly for individuals at risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. It is important to acknowledge this study's limitations. First, the study's relatively small sample size of 72 participants may not fully represent the broader population, making it necessary to conduct larger studies to confirm these findings. Additionally, the study focused specifically on individuals with prediabetes, which means that the results may not directly apply to other populations or those without metabolic risks. Another consideration is the short duration of the study: 12 weeks may not capture the long-term effects of integrating chickpeas or black beans into the diet. Lastly, while improvements in cholesterol and inflammation markers were noted, the lack of significant changes in glucose metabolism highlights that bean consumption alone may not address all aspects of metabolic health. Finally, it is important to note that this data was not published in a peer-reviewed journal. While the findings provide valuable insights, the lack of peer review underscores the need for cautious interpretation and further validation by the scientific community. These findings have real-life implications for anyone looking to improve their heart and metabolic health through simple dietary changes. Beans and chickpeas, which are affordable and widely available, can be seamlessly incorporated into everyday meals to help support health, especially for people with pre-diabetes. Both of these legumes also offer satisfying protein and fiber in every bite, making them a budget-friendly way to stretch your meals—especially soups and pastas—and enjoy a filling lunch or dinner. Here are some simple ways you can include black beans and chickpeas in your day: Add them to salads. Toss black beans or chickpeas into your salads for added protein and texture. Blend them into dips. Create homemade hummus using chickpeas or a black bean dip as a healthy snack option. Use them in soups or stews. Black beans and chickpeas are perfect additions to soups, stews, and chilis. Try our Black Bean Soup for a satisfying recipe. Add them to grain bowls. Incorporate them with quinoa, rice, or other grains alongside roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. Use them in wraps or tacos. Fill tortillas or wraps with spiced black beans or chickpeas for a quick and delicious option—we love our Black Bean-Avocado Wrap for an easy lunch you can even take on the go. Bake them into snacks. Roast chickpeas with spices for a crunchy snack or use black beans in brownies for a nutritious twist on dessert. A new, non-peer-reviewed study suggests that eating black beans and chickpeas offers health benefits that can help protect you from chronic disease. In particular, black beans may reduce chronic inflammation and chickpeas may be helpful for lower cholesterol. The results of this study serve as a that small, intentional dietary changes can have a meaningful impact on overall health. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods like black beans and chickpeas into your meals not only supports heart health and reduces inflammation but also underscores the importance of affordable and accessible solutions to combat chronic diseases—no complicated or fancy diet required! Combining these dietary shifts with other practices like regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management could further amplify their benefits. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Classic Steak Breakfast NASA Astronauts Eat Before Going To Space
Astronauts are like athletes; they have to train for their NASA mission at hand, and that starts with what they put in their bodies. Before blasting off in a rocket headed for space, astronauts need a breakfast fit for explorers. Enter steak and eggs. This protein-rich duo became the last meal ritual for cosmo travelers when, in 1961, American astronaut Alan Shepard became the first human to leave the Earth's atmosphere aboard the Mercury spacecraft, Freedom 7, to experience those zero Gs. Low in fiber but filling and satiating, this meal doesn't disrupt the body's constitution, meaning an astronaut like Shepard can skip the bathroom for the 15 minutes it takes to reach space. This isn't necessarily the case with a tropical kale smoothie or your favorite espresso drink, thanks to the diuretic properties of this morning brew. In fact, Shepard couldn't have coffee starting 24 hours prior to liftoff. But steak and eggs wasn't Shepard's idea. It was chosen by Beatrice Finkelstein of the Aerospace Medical Laboratory and set the standard for over six decades. Today, steak eggs is still the go-to breakfast for astronauts before launching up into the heavens. Read more: 9 Meats You Should And 5 You Shouldn't Buy From Costco And Why As beloved as steak and eggs is, this culinary power couple is not uniquely American; it hails from Australia, and it is considered this country's national dish. However, it is a combo that America quickly embraced. In the 1940s, as World War II was in full swing, this decadent meal fueled the military and was adopted by the United States Marines. It was a special meal troops would wolf down before an invasion. While steak and eggs is the pregaming meal astronauts eat before leaving the ground, the food that they initially ate in space was not as lovely. Their space pantry items had to have an extended shelf life, which meant eating foods like those that have been freeze-dried or irradiated. Since those early decades, NASA's food approach has shifted, and space explorers have taken everything from pizza to a bacon sandwich; Apollo 11 astronauts ate Stouffer's meals during 'moon quarantine.' However, there is one food that generally doesn't make it into an astronaut's food supply: bread. It leaves crumbs that can wreak havoc if it gets on equipment. Instead, they opt for tortillas if they need a carb fix. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban Says Elon Musk Is a 'Different Dude' — He Joked 'Congrats on Your 97th Kid' And Got the Wildest Response: 'Mars Needs People'
Mark Cuban knows how to troll with a purpose—especially when Elon Musk is involved. But when he sent Musk a congratulatory text for the birth of yet another child, he didn't expect a reply that sounded straight out of a sci-fi pitch meeting: "Mars needs people." That's not a punchline. That's the actual text Cuban says he got back. In a 2022 appearance on the "Full Send Podcast", Cuban got real about the limits of AI, the longevity of human health, and, naturally, Musk. "He's a different dude," Cuban said, when asked whether they'd ever be close. "I know Elon like a tiny bit. He had another kid—this is before the last three or whatever—and I'm like, 'Dude, congratulations. How many are you going to have?' He goes—sends me a text back—'Mars needs people.'" Cuban added, "That's what he does." Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Cue stunned laughter from the podcast hosts. Cuban shrugged, "I don't think he likes me." And while the line reads like a classic Musk troll, he's dead serious about it. Musk has long argued that humanity's best shot at survival is becoming a multiplanetary species. He's repeatedly said Earth is vulnerable—nuclear war, pandemics, rogue AI—and wants to build a self-sustaining city on Mars with up to a million people by 2050. So yeah, when he says "Mars needs people," he's not joking—he's recruiting. By 2024, Cuban was still retelling the story—this time on "This Past Weekend with Theo Von"—adding a little more context and a few more jabs. "I helped him with something, or tried to, so I had his number," Cuban recalled. "He had a kid and I'm like, 'Congrats on your 97th kid,' and he texts me back: 'Mars needs people.' And I'm like, that's funny as f***." But the bromance stops there. Trending: Cuban said things got a little rockier when he tweeted something less-than-glowing about Tesla. Musk didn't take it well. "He just sends me a text with the article and it says, 'F*** you.' That's it. Just 'F*** you,'" Cuban laughed. "He's thin-skinned," Cuban continued, noting that Musk has since called him a "racist," hit him with the infamous poop emoji, and hurled other insults. "That just gives me license to f*** with him even more," Cuban said. "I don't give a f*** what he thinks." Despite the name-calling, Cuban made it clear he still respects Musk's entrepreneurial streak. "SpaceX, Starlink, Tesla—dude's the entrepreneur of our generation," he said. "There's nobody close." Even with that praise, Cuban's stance is unbothered. "He says some stupid s***," he admitted. "And I have no problem calling him out." As for whether they'll ever squash the beef? Probably not. But Cuban seems just fine keeping the banter alive—one Mars baby joke at a time. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Mark Cuban Says Elon Musk Is a 'Different Dude' — He Joked 'Congrats on Your 97th Kid' And Got the Wildest Response: 'Mars Needs People' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
