新知｜沉睡上万年的DNA，复活出灭绝猛兽“冰原狼”

Core Viewpoint - The recent birth of genetically modified wolf pups, resembling the extinct dire wolf, marks a significant achievement in de-extinction technology, raising questions about the implications of reviving extinct species and the intersection of science and ethics [7][9][13]. Group 1: Scientific Achievement - Colossal Biosciences announced the successful revival of the dire wolf, claiming it as the first case of resurrecting an extinct animal through ancient DNA extraction and gene editing [9][11]. - The dire wolf's genome was compared with that of modern gray wolves, revealing a 99.3% similarity, with 80 key gene differences identified [11][13]. - Using CRISPR technology, 14 genes in gray wolf embryos were modified to incorporate traits typical of the dire wolf, leading to the birth of three pups in 2024 and 2025 [11][13]. Group 2: Controversy and Definition - There is debate within the scientific community regarding the definition of "revival," with some experts arguing that the modified wolves are more like hybrid wolves than true dire wolves, as 99.9% of their genome remains gray wolf [13][15]. - Critics emphasize that true revival of extinct species may be impossible due to the degradation of ancient DNA, which complicates the cloning process [15][20]. Group 3: Ethical and Ecological Considerations - The project raises ethical questions about humanity's right to alter natural evolutionary processes and the potential ecological impacts of introducing modified species into existing ecosystems [20][21]. - Concerns exist regarding the unforeseen consequences of releasing genetically modified organisms into the wild, with experts warning of potential ecological disruptions [20][21]. - Colossal Biosciences aims to create "functional replicas" of extinct species to restore ecological functions and enhance biodiversity, rather than achieving a perfect genetic replica [15][20]. Group 4: Future Aspirations and Challenges - Colossal Biosciences has plans to revive other extinct species, such as the woolly mammoth and the dodo, with the goal of promoting vegetation recovery in the Arctic tundra to combat climate change [16][18]. - The company has already made strides in mammoth DNA replication, although experts caution that these efforts may be overstated and not fully representative of the original species [18][20]. - The challenges of reviving extinct species include the need for intact DNA, successful embryo development, and appropriate environmental conditions for rearing the animals [21][26].