What's behind a biotech's company's claim to have cloned the extinct dire wolf? | DW News

Summary of YouTube Video:

Key Concepts:

• Dire wolves: Extinct canines, larger and more muscular than grey wolves.
• Grey wolves: Closest living relative of dire wolves.
• Genetic engineering: Modifying an organism's genes to alter its characteristics.
• Cloning: Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism.
• Ecosystems: Complex communities of living organisms and their physical environment.
• Attention economy: An economic system based on capturing and monetizing attention.
• Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

1. Colossal Biosciences' Claims and Methodology:

• The biotech company Colossal Biosciences claims to have "brought back to life" dire wolves, extinct for over 12,500 years.
• They claim to have created three dire wolves, named Romulus and Reis, aged between 3 and 6 months.
• Their approach involves genetically modifying grey wolf cells to incorporate DNA sequence variants believed to be responsible for dire wolf traits (size, musculature, coat color).
• The modified cells are then cloned, and the resulting embryos are carried to term by surrogate mothers.
• Colossal Biosciences also claims to have cloned critically endangered red wolves and mice with woolly mammoth traits.
• The company states that direwolves are 99.5% genetically similar to greywolves.

2. Skepticism from Independent Scientists:

• Independent scientists are skeptical of Colossal's claims, suggesting that the company has only created slightly genetically modified grey wolves.
• The modifications are derived from retrieved dire wolf material, but this does not equate to recreating a true dire wolf.
• Johannes Fogle, Director General of Berlin's Museum of Natural History, states that these are not real direwolves.
• Fogle argues that a species is more than just its genes; it includes its entire ecosystem (parasites, gut flora, etc.), which Colossal has not recreated.

3. Genetic Engineering: Historical Context and Ethical Considerations:

• Fogle emphasizes that humans have been genetically modifying organisms for millennia through selective breeding (e.g., wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane).
• He points out that dogs/wolves were the first species domesticated by humans, raising questions about who modified whom.
• Genetic engineering has made significant strides in medicine, which is beneficial.
• However, Fogle cautions against the idea that genetic engineering can solve the problem of ecosystem destruction.
• He warns against the false sense of security that genetic engineering can undo the damage humans are causing to ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Fogle stresses the importance of preserving existing ecosystems, which provide essential resources like clean water and air.

4. Motivation Behind Colossal Biosciences' Claims:

• Fogle suggests that Colossal Biosciences' claims are a PR stunt to drive up the company's value, which has reportedly reached over $10 billion.
• He acknowledges that driving up company value is legitimate in a capitalist society.
• However, he emphasizes that the economy is dependent on nature, not just commerce.

5. Notable Quotes:

• Colossal Biosciences: "So a greywolf is the closest living relative of a direwolf they're genetically really similar 99.5% similar only direwolves are larger more muscular and had these light colored coats."
• Independent Scientist: "Does that make it a direwolf no does it make a slightly modified greywolf yes and that's probably about it."
• Johannes Fogle: "No unfortunately not um every species including you and me as humans are ecosystems...none of this they claim they have recreated they have genetically modified a greywolf."
• Johannes Fogle: "We are at the moment destroying ecosystems and species that um depend on these ecosystems at an alarming at an alarming rate we are cutting off the branch on which we as human species are sitting because um we depend on healthy ecosystems not genetically engineered ecosystems."
• Johannes Fogle: "This economy is about nature and not about commerce so uh let's keep these two things."

6. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• DNA sequence variants: Differences in the genetic code that can lead to variations in traits.
• Surrogates: Animals that carry and give birth to embryos that are not their own.
• Genetic modification: Altering the genetic material of an organism.
• Cloning: Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism.

7. Logical Connections:

• The video presents Colossal Biosciences' claims of recreating dire wolves, followed by skepticism from independent scientists.
• It then explores the broader context of genetic engineering, its history, and its ethical implications.
• The discussion connects the specific case of dire wolves to the larger issue of ecosystem destruction and the limitations of genetic engineering as a solution.
• Finally, it examines the potential motivations behind Colossal Biosciences' claims, linking them to economic factors.

8. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video highlights the debate surrounding Colossal Biosciences' claim of recreating dire wolves through genetic engineering. While the company presents its work as a major scientific breakthrough, independent scientists express skepticism, arguing that the resulting animals are merely genetically modified grey wolves. The discussion extends beyond this specific case to explore the broader implications of genetic engineering, its potential benefits, and its limitations in addressing the ongoing destruction of ecosystems. The video concludes by suggesting that Colossal Biosciences' claims may be driven by economic motives, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the preservation of existing ecosystems over the pursuit of genetic engineering as a solution to environmental problems.