The strange history of de-extinction began long before the science

The strange history of de-extinction began long before the science

On April 7, Colossal Bioscience — a company valued at $10 billion, boasting backers ranging from Chris Hemsworth to the CIA — announced the “world’s first de-extincted animal.” Using cloning, gene-editing, and anciently preserved DNA, they claimed they had brought back the dire wolf: a majestic canine that vanished from the Americas around 13,000 years ago. Debate ensued, with most experts agreeing that Colossal had not resurrected a dire wolf. …