Forget Jurassic Park: the science of bringing back the dead is already happening
We often imagine de-extinction as a cinematic spectacle of prehistoric monsters. In reality, it is a precise, high-tech endeavor involving genome engineering and advanced reproductive technologies, currently being used to resurrect species like the North American dire wolf.
While science fiction suggests a sudden return of dinosaurs, true de-extinction relies on modern breakthroughs in genome sequencing, CRISPR editing, and stem cell biology. Rather than finding intact prehistoric organisms, scientists work to recover trace amounts of DNA from ancient samples. For instance, Beth Shapiro, Chief Science and Officer at Colossal Biosciences, has studied ancient DNA from mammoth bones in Siberia to understand how these giants once functioned within their ecosystems.
The process often involves using a living relative as a biological template. A recent milestone in this field was the successful birth of three dire wolf pups in late 2024 and early 2025. This was achieved by editing the genes of the modern gray wolf to mirror the extinct predator, which died off approximately 13,000 years ago. This technique, known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), can also utilize domestic animals as surrogates, as seen in the use of domestic dogs for the dire wolf project and domestic goats for the Pyrenean ibex.
The implications extend far beyond mere novelty. While the Pyrenean ibex (bucardo) experiment in 2003 resulted in a calf that survived only briefly, the underlying technologies offer vital tools for modern conservation. As the IUCN estimates that over 46,300 species are currently threatened with extinction, de-extinction science provides a toolkit for 'de-endangerment.' By restoring lost ecological functions—such as the dire wolf's role in regulating prey populations—scientists hope to rebuild biodiversity in ecosystems facing rapid environmental change.
Source: De-Extinction: A How-To Guide | Beth Shapiro
