Overview

• Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of three genetically modified wolf pups, incorporating dire wolf DNA into gray wolf genomes using CRISPR technology.
• The pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, are housed in a 2,000-acre nature reserve, but experts argue they are not true dire wolves, only gray wolves with minor genetic edits.
• Critics, including bioethicists and conservationists, question the project's scientific value, ethical basis, and potential to divert resources from protecting endangered species.
• The U.S. Interior Department has cited the project as evidence for deregulating endangered species protections, a move conservationists warn could harm existing biodiversity efforts.
• While the project demonstrates advancements in genetic engineering, its practical conservation benefits remain unclear, with many calling it a technological showcase rather than a solution.