Dire Wolves and the De-extinction Debate: Be Smart's Deep Dive into Genome Editing and Conservation

Overview

In this Be Smart episode, host Joe engages scientists from Colossal Biosciences to unpack the recent claim of bringing back dire wolves. The discussion clarifies that what was accomplished is not a perfect resurrection of the extinct dire wolf, but the creation of a functional proxy inspired by an ancient genome.

Key points: genome reconstruction from ancient DNA, a limited set of edits to a surrogate gray wolf genome, and the birth of three proxy pups named Romulus, Remus, and Calei. The episode situates the work within a broader conservation frame, emphasizing that de-extinction technologies aim to refill ecological roles, not to simply clone extinct animals. The conversation also touches on ethics, animal welfare, surrogacy, artificial wombs, and the need for careful study before reintroducing any organism into a habitat.

Viewers are invited to consider what counts as a species, how these proxy animals might interact with modern ecosystems, and whether this approach can meaningfully contribute to slowing biodiversity loss.

Introduction

Be Smart presents a deep dive into Colossal Biosciences' claim of reviving dire wolves through genome-based proxy creation. The host stresses that the goal is not to clone an extinct species but to generate an organism that can perform similar ecological functions within a suitable ecosystem.

How De-extinction Works

The episode explains the pipeline from ancient DNA to a functional surrogate. Using ancient dire wolf DNA, researchers reconstructed a dire wolf genome and compared it with living relatives, chiefly gray wolves and domestic dogs. They implemented 20 edits across 14 genes in the gray wolf genome, created embryos, and implanted them in surrogate gray wolves. In late 2024 to early 2025, three pups were born Romulus, Remus, and Calei. While these creatures are larger and have different coats, their DNA is not identical to the extinct dire wolf. The team hopes the edits yield a living proxy that can fulfill some ecological roles of the extinct species.

Proxy, Not Resurrection

The panel emphasizes that behavior, morphology, and ecology are shaped by more than DNA alone. Environment, social learning, and interspecies interactions all contribute to how an animal functions in an ecosystem. The dialogue introduces the concept of “proxy species” and discusses why scientists prefer this framing over true cloning of the past.

Ethics and Welfare

Animal welfare and genetic interaction with a different species are central concerns. The guests describe careful selection of surrogate species and the importance of minimizing unintended health consequences from gene edits. They acknowledge current limitations and the need for rigorous welfare monitoring over years as the proxy animals mature.

Conservation Context

The discussion places de-extinction work within a broader conservation strategy. While acknowledging potential benefits for research and technology, the speakers insist that habitat protection, reducing biodiversity loss, and addressing root causes remain essential. The dire wolf case is framed as a stepping stone for developing tools to help other endangered species rather than a replacement for traditional conservation.

Species Concepts and Taxonomy

An ongoing debate about what constitutes a species arises. The team considers genomics, morphology, and ecological niche to interpret what a proxy dire wolf represents. The conversation clarifies that, for functional purposes, a proxy may be more relevant than a strict taxonomic label when evaluating ecological roles.

Technology and Access

Colossal describes a pipeline that aims to translate genome sequences into predictable phenotypes and to share technologies with conservation partners. The discussion touches on future applications to other species, including challenges for birds and megafauna where surrogate approaches may be more complex.

Policy, Public Perception, and Next Steps

The hosts acknowledge that de-extinction is not a silver bullet. They advocate for responsible, transparent science and continued investment in traditional conservation. The episode ends by inviting viewers to imagine which species could be targeted next and how to build nature preserves to welcome de-extinction-friendly ecosystems.

Conclusion

Be Smart frames the episode as an essential discussion about the future of life, technology, and ecosystems, urging ongoing curiosity and careful consideration of trade-offs.