Is this ‘de-extinction’ project actually onto something?

Source: The Verge

Overview

Dallas‑based genetics and biotech startup Colossal has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from venture capitalists, the CIA, Peter Thiel, and other investors.

Its high‑profile “de‑extinction” projects aim to “bring back” lost animals such as:

• Woolly mammoth
• Tasmanian tiger
• Dire wolf

Controversy Over the “Dire Wolf” Presentation

In the 2025 presentation of “dire wolves,” the pups were actually gray wolves edited with a few genetic traits to resemble dire wolves, rather than true resurrected specimens. This branding has prompted questions about the company’s conservation impact and criticism for not truly “de‑extincting” anything.

Conservation Implications

Discussion of the conservation implications can be found in articles such as:

• HCN’s analysis
• Nature’s commentary
• The Guardian’s coverage