On the “direwolves”

So recently Colossal Biosciences revealed three GMO gray wolves that it’s taunting around as “the revival of the dire wolf”. To be clear, these aren’t actual direwolves; no Aenocyon dirus genes were spliced, the geneticists at CB simply altered gray wolf genes to create something akin to the dire wolf. Sort a more sophisticated version of the modern “tarpan”, bred from tarpan-looking horses.

Personally, I think the only wrong-doing here is the false advertising. These GMO wolves can still provide insights into direwolf biomechanics given that they at least have a similar body. There’s a noted difference in vocalisations from normal gray wolves, so again they might work as functional models for direwolf biology.

Personally, I’m not against GMO organisms unless they live in suffering (like pugs), which is not the case here. Additionally, Colossal is using their resources to help the red wolf population, so there’s legit potential for conservation.

Hopefully, their plans on reviving the thylacine will prove less dishonest.