Dire Wolves Are Back (Sort Of)! Is De-Extinction Worth It?
by Jabir Hussain, Imaginary Hub X Newsletter – April 15, 2025
What if a creature that vanished 12,000 years ago roared back to life? Sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster, but it’s happening—kind of. Scientists at Colossal Biosciences are using cutting-edge tech to “revive” the dire wolf, a fearsome Ice Age predator. But is this deep tech marvel a planet-saving win or a risky billion-dollar bet? Let’s unpack it, Imaginary Hub X style!
A Game of Thrones Comeback
Dire wolves—yep, like those majestic beasts from *Game of Thrones*—aren’t exactly being resurrected. Instead, Colossal’s team used CRISPR, a gene-editing tool, to tweak modern grey wolf DNA with ancient dire wolf genes pulled from fossils. The result? Pups named Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi, 99.5% dire wolf. Close enough to call it “de-extinction,” right? These new wolves won’t roam free—they’ll live in a 2,000-acre preserve—but the tech behind them is wild.
Why Bother Bringing Back the Past?
It’s not just about cool factor. Nature’s in trouble—30,000 species vanish yearly, costing the global economy over $5 trillion annually. That’s huge, since half the world’s $44 trillion economy depends on nature for food, fuel, and more. By reviving species like dire wolves or woolly mammoths, scientists hope to learn how to save endangered animals. Bonus: mammoths could even slow climate change by stomping Arctic snow to preserve permafrost. Colossal’s also eyeing the Tasmanian tiger and dodo next. Talk about ambition!
The Startup Angle
Colossal’s pitch has venture capitalists drooling—valued at $10.2 billion, they’re selling de-extinction as a planet-saving startup dream. Future plans include cashing in on biodiversity credits (like carbon credits for nature) and government deals. Free tech for conservation now could turn into big bucks later. But here’s the rub: would saving existing species make them this rich? Probably not.
The Catch
Here’s where it gets tricky. De-extinction sounds epic, but it’s pricey. Caring for revived species like mammoths could cost as much as endangered elephants, and that’s after massive R&D bills. Governments already spend just 17% of the $824 billion needed for current conservation. Diverting funds to dire wolves might starve other species—research says every revived species could let two existing ones slip away. Plus, ecosystems have moved on. Would mammoths thrive today, or just mess things up, competing with caribou for food?
A Jurassic Park Lesson?
Colossal’s playing a high-stakes game. While their tech could teach us how to protect nature, it might also tilt conservation toward flashy animals, leaving frogs and plants in the dust. And if it’s more about profit than planet, we could be flirting with disaster—*Jurassic Park*-style.
So, Imaginary Hub X crew, what’s your verdict? Is de-extinction a bold leap for science or a risky distraction? Drop your thoughts—we’re all ears!
Stay curious, keep growing—see you next time on Imaginary Hub X!
