The US biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences reported nothing less than a scientific sensation a few days ago: the researchers say they have their own statementsbrought the extinct shadow wolf back to life. This was made possible by modern genetic engineering.
Many television viewers are the wolf speciesAenocyon dreadEspecially known from the Game of Thrones fantasy series. The shadow wolf lived on the American continent during the last large ice age and was slightly larger than today's wolf with a length of about 1.50 meters and a weight of up to 70 kilograms.However, the species died out around 13,000 years ago.
Complex genetic engineering process
The scientists have sequenced genom remains from genome, which Colossal Biosciences comes from a tooth and skull bone of the shadow wolf, and compared with wolf and dog species living today.
Based on this, the genome of today's Grauwolf, the next living relative of the shadow wolf, was processed genetically in order to have the bitches generated in this way.The three puppies came out of Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi- Two males and a female.
Colossal Biosciences speaks ofa groundbreaking achievement for science and the efforts to preserve endangered animal species
. The company has committed itself to bringing far more extinct animal species back from the dead - including the mammoth.
Game of Thrones author cries with joy
Game-of-throne author George RR Martin is also enthusiastic about the return of the shadow wolf-he even met the three wolf puppies in their secret reserve in the USA.On his blogthe author shared a photo on which he holds one of the little wolves in his arms.
The Canadian magazineScreen RantAccording to Martin, Martin had been contacted several months before Colossal Biosciences co -founders Ben Lamm. According to Lamm, the author cried for joy when he saw the wolves for the first time.
As recently known, Martin is now also acting as an investor andcultural advisor
bei Colossal Biosciences.
Are the shadow wolves real?
As great as the joy of many series fans about the supposed rebirth of the shadow wolves may be; There is still a drop of bitterness. Because many scientific experts react to the announcement of Colossal Biosciences.In order to really bring something out to life, you would have to clone it
, says Nic Rawlence, director of the Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory in New Zealand.
That is thatInheritance of the shadow wolf, however, is far from being preserved well enough; A living animal was needed. Instead, what Colossal had created Biosciences is a genetically modified gray wolf with the character traits of a shadow wolf, according to the zoologist (viaDaily show).
What do you think of the scientific efforts to resurrect the shadow wolf? Do you find such approaches interesting and wish you a amusement park with real dinosaurs or do you think that you should keep your hands off the genetic engineering? Write it to us in the comments!
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