Today, Explained: The Startup That Cried Dire Wolf

Episode Release Date: April 24, 2025
Host: Sean Rameswaram and Noel King
Author: Vox
Podcast Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Introduction to Dire Wolves and Colossal's Ambitious Venture

The episode opens with an exploration of dire wolves, majestic predators that roamed the Americas until their extinction approximately 14,000 years ago. These creatures were larger than gray wolves, had formidable bone-crushing bites, and primarily vanished possibly due to a dwindling food source or human hunting. The conversation swiftly transitions to Colossal, a startup claiming to have resurrected dire wolves from extinction. Colossal asserts ownership of three dire wolf specimens, sparking debates about the authenticity of these creatures and the ethical implications of de-extinction.

Host:
“Dire wolves walked the Americas for millennia up until about 14,000 years ago… And now we know that apparently Dire WOL back, a startup called Colossal says they've brought these pups back from extinction” (00:03).

Behind the Scenes: Colossal and Its Founders

DT Max from The New Yorker provides an insider perspective on Colossal. He humorously suggests alternative names for the resurrected wolves, ultimately referencing them as "diet direwolves." These creatures were created by extracting DNA from a 72,000-year-old dire wolf inner ear bone and a 13,000-year-old tooth. Colossal's technique involved making 20 genetic edits to gray wolf DNA to incorporate dire wolf-specific genes.

DT Max:
“These so called direwolves were created by extracting DNA from a 72,000 year old Direwolf inner ear bone and a 13,000 year old Dire wolf tooth” (02:42).

Colossal is helmed by Ben Lamb, a serial entrepreneur with multiple successful startups acquired by larger companies. His collaboration with George Church, a renowned Harvard professor with a penchant for ambitious “what if” scenarios, culminated in the vision to bring back extinct species like the woolly mammoth and, ultimately, the dire wolf. Together, they secured over $400 million in funding, valuing Colossal at more than $10 billion—comparable to major biotech firms like Moderna.

DT Max:
“Ben Lamb is kind of amazing… they've raised over $400 million. And their valuation… is over $10 billion” (07:35).

The Science and Challenges of De-Extinction

DT Max delves into the complexities of de-extinction, emphasizing that bringing back a species extinct for 14,000 years is profoundly different from reviving one extinct for millions of years. The process involves reading ancient DNA sequences, recreating them, and implanting them into a host womb. Despite appearing straightforward, each step presents significant challenges, likened to the difficulty of consistently hitting home runs in baseball.

DT Max:
“It’s not that easy because there are problems… it’s a little bit like if I describe to you how to hit a home run… most people don’t hit home runs” (08:24).

Moreover, the ethical concerns are manifold. The dire wolves at Colossal are essentially modified gray wolves with about 15 genetic alterations. These modifications carry unforeseen risks, such as potential health issues like deafness and blindness. The confined environment where these wolves are kept—spanning only three square miles compared to their natural range of up to 1,000 square miles—poses further threats to their well-being and longevity.

DT Max:
“These wolves may end up having other kinds of medical problems. These are big animals. They’re 150 pounds… they are at risk of other diseases” (18:01).

Ethical and Regulatory Concerns

The episode critically examines the ethical implications of de-extinction. DT Max highlights the lack of stringent regulations governing such scientific endeavors. Current guidelines are insufficient, as evidenced by a failed attempt to resurrect a goat that only lived for ten minutes. Colossal's unrestricted approach raises alarms about animal welfare and the potential for unintended consequences in altering natural genomes.

DT Max:
“So, there are no regulations and that could create problems… the guidelines we have aren’t very Good… no government regulations on this” (21:21).

Furthermore, the motivations behind Colossal’s initiatives are scrutinized. While the company touts potential scientific breakthroughs and environmental benefits, there's skepticism about whether the primary goal is genuine conservation or financial gain through publicity and biotechnology advancements.

DT Max:
“Is it to develop science that they can then sell, or is it to create these animals which create huge publicity… Is it to help nature or is it to raise more money?” (23:25).

Potential Benefits and Future Implications

Despite the concerns, the discussion acknowledges possible benefits from Colossal's work. These include advancements in biomedical technology, habitat rebalancing, and biodiversity enhancement. However, the episode remains cautious, pointing out that without addressing the root causes of extinction like habitat destruction and climate change, de-extinction efforts may offer limited long-term solutions.

Host:
“Do you see some good there? If we do indeed get some medical or scientific breakthroughs out of this company's work?” (22:54).

Conclusion: A Mixed Verdict on De-Extinction

The episode closes on a somber note, reflecting on the broader implications of humanity’s ability to alter nature. While the technological prowess of startups like Colossal is undeniably impressive, it raises profound questions about our responsibilities and the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration. The resurrection of dire wolves serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between innovation and conservation.

DT Max:
“It becomes sad because wasn’t one of the reasons that we used to drive animals extinct because we could, because there was money in it. And isn’t it kind of weird that we’re now de-extincting an animal… it leaves you a little bit blue” (12:45).

Notable Quotes

• Host (00:03):
  “Dire wolves walked the Americas for millennia up until about 14,000 years ago… And now Colossal says they've brought these pups back from extinction.”

• DT Max (02:30):
  “These so called direwolves were created by extracting DNA from a 72,000 year old Direwolf inner ear bone and a 13,000 year old Dire wolf tooth.”

• DT Max (07:35):
  “They’ve raised over $400 million. And their valuation… is over $10 billion.”

• DT Max (18:01):
  “These wolves may end up having other kinds of medical problems. These are big animals… they are at risk of other diseases.”

• DT Max (21:21):
  “There are no regulations and that could create problems… no government regulations on this.”

• DT Max (23:25):
  “Is it to develop science that they can then sell, or is it to create these animals which create huge publicity… Is it to help nature or is it to raise more money?”

This episode of Today, Explained delves deep into the cutting-edge yet controversial field of de-extinction, using Colossal's ambitious project with dire wolves as a focal point. It offers listeners a balanced view of the scientific advancements, ethical dilemmas, and regulatory shortcomings inherent in such pioneering endeavors.