This $10B Startup Faked De-Extinction (and everyone fell for it)
Audio Brief
Show transcript
This episode critically examines Colossal Biosciences' claims of "de-extincting" the dire wolf, questioning whether it is a genuine scientific breakthrough or clever marketing.
There are three key takeaways from this discussion.
First, Colossal Biosciences created a genetically engineered gray wolf hybrid, not a true dire wolf clone. This project involved modifying existing DNA, a distinct process from de-extinction, given dire wolves diverged from gray wolves millions of years ago.
Second, be critical of scientific announcements made through media campaigns over peer-reviewed research. Hype and celebrity investors often drive massive funding and public perception, potentially overshadowing actual scientific substance.
Third, the business model behind companies like Colossal Biosciences may not solely be about reviving extinct species. These ventures use "moonshot" goals, like de-extinction, to attract funding and develop valuable spin-off technologies. The true profit often lies in monetizing these underlying gene-editing advancements.
This critical perspective highlights the complex interplay between science, marketing, and conservation ethics.
Episode Overview
- This episode critically examines Colossal Biosciences' claim of "de-extincting" the dire wolf, questioning whether it's a genuine scientific breakthrough or clever marketing.
- It explores the business model behind high-profile de-extinction projects, highlighting the role of hype and celebrity investors in securing massive funding.
- The discussion contrasts Colossal's work with previous, less-publicized de-extinction efforts, like the cloning of the Pyrenean ibex.
- It delves into the significant ethical questions surrounding de-extinction, particularly the potential impact on conservation efforts for currently endangered species.
Key Concepts
- De-extinction vs. Genetic Engineering: The episode distinguishes between true de-extinction (creating a genetic clone of an extinct species) and genetic engineering (modifying the DNA of a living species to resemble an extinct one), which is what Colossal has done.
- Scientific Hype and Marketing: A central theme is how well-funded marketing campaigns can shape public perception of scientific progress, often prioritizing media attention over publishing peer-reviewed research.
- The "Moonshot" Business Model: Colossal's strategy is compared to the Apollo program, where a headline-grabbing goal (reviving a mammoth or dire wolf) is used to develop valuable, spin-off technologies (like gene-editing software) that are the real source of profit.
- Genetic Divergence: The video explains that dire wolves are not closely related to modern gray wolves, having diverged genetically about 5.7 million years ago, a similar timeframe to the divergence between humans and chimpanzees.
- Ethical Implications: The discussion raises concerns that the promise of de-extinction could reduce the urgency to protect currently endangered species, creating a moral hazard for conservation.
Quotes
- At 02:11 - "Think of this as taking chimp DNA, editing it to be taller and naked except on the head. Would you call that a human?" - The narrator uses this analogy to explain that Colossal's creation is a genetically modified hybrid, not a true dire wolf.
- At 07:58 - "'De-extinction' itself might blind us from the moral need to protect and respect non-human life by reducing urgency around preventing extinctions now." - Citing research, the narrator highlights the core ethical argument against prioritizing de-extinction over current conservation.
Takeaways
- Colossal did not "de-extinct" the dire wolf; they created a genetically engineered gray wolf hybrid with some dire wolf-like physical characteristics.
- Be critical of scientific announcements made through media campaigns before they are supported by peer-reviewed research, as hype can often overshadow the actual scientific substance.
- The true business of companies like Colossal may lie in developing and monetizing the underlying gene-editing technologies, using charismatic extinct animals as a "moonshot" to attract funding.
- The concept of de-extinction has already been used as a political argument to reduce protections for currently endangered species.
- The first successful de-extinction of an animal (the Pyrenean ibex) occurred quietly in 2003, demonstrating that groundbreaking science doesn't always need a multi-billion dollar marketing machine.
