De-Extinction of Dire Wolf

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• A United States-based bioscience company claimed that it had revived an extinct species of animal, the dire wolf.

The Dire Wolf (Aenocyon dirus)

• The Dire wolf was one of the most formidable predators of the late Pleistocene epoch.
• Geographic Range: It lived across North America — from southern Canada to the United States, before they went extinct about 13,000 years ago.
• Physical Traits: They resembled the grey/ gray wolves (Canis lupus), but were larger, with white coats.
  • A dire wolf could be 3.5 feet tall, more than 6 feet in length, and weigh up to 68 kg.
• Diet: Predators of horses, bison, and possibly mammoths.

What Is De-Extinction?

• De-extinction, or resurrection biology, refers to the scientific process of bringing back extinct species or creating organisms closely resembling them through genetic engineering.
• De-extinction is possible because of bioengineering techniques that can manipulate DNA and genomes or the genetic material in an organism. 
• The goal is to re-establish dynamic processes that produce healthy ecosystems and restore biodiversity.

Methods of De-Extinction

• Back-breeding: It uses the principles of selective breeding. This method works well when the extinct species are closely related to a still-living species.
  • Limitation: It cannot recreate the exact genome of the extinct species. Risks include inbreeding and genetic mutations.
• Cloning: It produces a genetically identical copy of an organism through Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). 
  • Example: Birth of Dolly the sheep in 1996.
  • Limitation: It requires intact living cells, so it’s not feasible for long-extinct species.
• Genome Editing & Synthetic Genomics: Genome editing tools (like CRISPR) allow for precise deletion, addition, or modification of genes.
  • Synthetic genomics involves inserting large sections of synthesized DNA into a host genome.
  • Result: Hybrid organisms with traits from both extinct and living species.

Concerns

• Ecological Disruption: The reintroduction of hybrid species may disturb present-day ecosystems.
• Genetic Health: High chances of mutations, low genetic diversity, and inbreeding.
• Habitat Availability: With the changing environment natural habitats may no longer exist.

Concluding remarks

• The revival of the dire wolf signifies a giant leap in genetic science but also opens up a Pandora’s box of ecological, ethical, and legal concerns. 
• While de-extinction holds promise for biodiversity and conservation, its application must be cautious, well-regulated, and grounded in sustainability.

Source: IE