Dallas-based genetics and biotech startup Colossal Biosciences has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from venture capitalists, the CIA, and entrepreneur Peter Thiel, among others. The company’s high-profile "de-extinction" projects promise to "bring back" iconic lost animals such as the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, and the dire wolf.
However, Colossal is not recreating extinct species from ancient DNA as the term "de-extinction" might imply. For example, the "dire wolves" unveiled in 2025 were actually gray wolves genetically modified with a few traits to resemble their prehistoric counterparts. This approach has sparked debate over the company’s scientific rigor and conservation priorities.
The company’s ambitious branding and bold claims have drawn both fascination and skepticism from scientists and the public alike.
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