They’re back. Well, kinda. It apparently depends on who you ask when it comes to the latest news involving the so-called “de-extinction” of the dire wolf.
Colossal Biosciences announced Monday (March 7) the birth of three wolves that have been genetically engineered to resemble the extinct dire wolf. The wolves – Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi — mark what TIME Magazine calls the “de-extinction” of a species unseen for reportedly “10,000 years.” The company used preserved DNA, genetic engineering and surrogate dog mothers to produce the wolves. While many scientists seem excited about the latest news, critics — one in particular Christian leader — noted this news should raise red flags.
‘Something artificial and calling it nature’
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, addressed the news on his podcast “The Briefing.” He specifically questioned the scientific validity of the wolves but also addressed the ethical and theological implications. “You’re not restoring creation,” Mohler said. “You’re engineering something artificial and calling it nature.”
Mohler also noted, “You have an engineered animal you call dire wolf, but even some other scientists are saying that’s not really a dire wolf. It’s dire wolf-ish.”
More animals on the way?
The Associated Press reported that Colossal’s goal extends beyond dire wolves, aiming to revive other extinct species like the woolly mammoth and dodo. But Mohler warns that such ambitions challenge biblical order. “Humans are not divine creators. We are stewards,” he noted, drawing from Genesis 1.
Among Christian concerns are tampering with God’s design, the unpredictability of reintroducing engineered animals into ecosystems, and a worldview that views humans as intruders rather than caretakers of creation. “This is not science fiction,” Mohler said. “This is human arrogance clothed in lab coats.”
See related stories below:
Crying wolf? A look at the complicated worldview behind supposedly bringing back long-extinct species -The Briefing
Scientists genetically engineer wolves with white hair and muscular jaws like the extinct dire wolf – Associated Press
The return of the dire wolf – Time Magazine
Scientists say they revived dire wolf through biotech company’s de-extinction process
– ABC News
NOTE: The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by The Baptist Paper.
