Just Cloning Around

 Cloning Around
I heard from the news that scientists were able to clone wolves that have been extinct for more than 12,000 years. Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company in Dallas, Texas has resurrected the dire wolf by using ancient DNA and genetically altering the genes of a gray wolf. The gray wolf is the closest living relative. The company announced that the result was essentually a hybrid species similar to its extinct forerunner. So it isn’t a pure-blooded dire wolf, but a hybrid species.
The dire wolf was once a top predator that roamed North America. The dire wolf was larger than the North American gray wolf. They had a wider head, light thick fur, and a stronger jaw.
With this accomplishment under their belt, Colossal will continue working to resurrect the mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger. They have been working on theseprojects since 2021. Will we be able to see actual dinosaurs like in the movie Jurrasic Park or will the costs be prohibitive.
The cloning of the Ice Age wooly mammoth DNA samples will be retrieved from several mammoth specimens and ntroduced into the edited living cell nucleus of Asian elephants-the mammoth’s closest living kin in an attempt topreserve the mammoth’s traits.
Colossal also works to save endangered species. There are often “bottle necks” that may be caused by lack of genetic diversity. Colossal is attempting to introduce a wider gene pool into the endangered animals.
One project is to revive the pink pigeon that is indiginous to the Island nation of Mauritius. It once thrived there until its habitat was lost due to the incursion of sugar plantations.
The pricce for Colossal is a colossal $10.2 billion. The biotech company has the resources to persue these scientific endeavors without much concern about the cost. They have partnered with many conservation organizations.
The company worked with Indigenous MHA Nation tribes (Mandan, Hidasta, and Arikawa) to have the dire wolves to live on their lands in North Dakota. Colossal is negotiating with North Carolina to help strengthen the endangered red wolf population.