Latest news with #BethShapiro
Forbes
a day ago
- Science
- Forbes
This Female Scientist Brought The Dire Wolf Back From Extinction
© John Davidson Women make up 43.1% of scientists in the U.S. workforce, yet they account for just 34% of the broader STEM fields, according to the National Science Foundation. Within these industries, many have faced sexual harassment or undue criticism throughout their careers, especially as their work garners public attention. The numbers—and the stories—are sobering. Enter Dr. Beth Shapiro, a powerhouse in genomic science. She has directed her own lab at the University of California, Berkeley, authored critically acclaimed books and holds the prestigious title of HHMI Investigator. Now, as the Chief Science Officer at Colossal Biosciences, a groundbreaking company leading the charge in de-extinction, Shapiro is guiding a predominantly female team to reshape the future of conservation and genomics. While leaving academia wasn't an easy decision for Shapiro, she has gone on to work on some of the most exciting projects in her career. Last year, she made history when she brought the dire wolf back from extinction. On October 1, 2024, the first two dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, were born; on January 31, 2025, a third dire wolf named Khaleesi was welcomed into the world. 'What conservation needs is bold ideas and bold action. This breakthrough showcases that humans are capable of both. We can use biotechnologies to speed up the processes of selection and adaptation,' she said in a statement on the Colossal website. 'With the successful birth of Colossal's dire wolf, we are one step closer to a world in which these tools are among those at our disposal to help species thrive in their rapidly changing habitats.' She has faced some level of criticism for the project, and the harshest are often less qualified males in the STEM field. However, Shapiro is more concerned about the next generation. 'We get letters from kids inspired by our work — our science, conservation efforts, and commitment to bettering the planet,' she explained in an interview. 'I worry about them losing hope when they see how women in science are often treated.' © John Davidson This isn't just about Shapiro; it's about the culture of tearing down women in fields where they're already underrepresented. The stakes are high—not just for the scientists, but for the future of innovation itself. What Can We Do To Change The Narrative? Look Beyond The Headlines Not all scientists are created equal. Before buying into criticism, dig deeper into the credentials of those doing the critiquing. Are their accomplishments anywhere near the level of those they're disparaging? Call Out Inequality When you see women's work unfairly diminished, speak up. The more we normalize respect and fairness, the better the culture becomes. Support Girls In STEM Programs that encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Donate, mentor or simply share resources that highlight their importance. Challenge The Status Quo Question why women face disproportionate scrutiny. Is it jealousy, insecurity, or outdated biases? Sometimes, the problem isn't the science. It's the ego of the critic. Celebrate Women's Wins Share their successes, amplify their voices, and ensure their stories reach the audiences they deserve. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The Science Of De-Extinction Is Providing Hope For Nature's Future By Emma Kershaw Forbes Billionaire Eugene Shvidler Revealed As The Artist Behind ES23 By Emma Kershaw Forbes Inside A $22 Million Mediterranean-Style Villa Overlooking San Francisco By Emma Kershaw
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Colossal's de-extinction campaign is built on a semantic house of cards with shoddy foundations — and the consequences are dire
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The idea of resurrecting extinct organisms is alluring; I would love to see one of the strange Cambrian animals like Hallucigenia and Opabinia, feathered dinosaurs, the giant hornless rhino "Walter" and giant sloths. The "de-extinction" company Colossal Biosciences promises to fulfill that dream, at least for extinct animals like woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius), dodos (Raphus cucullatus), and Tasmanian tigers (Thylacinus cynocephalus). It has recently been making waves in its quest to de-extinct charismatic fauna. First, it claimed to have developed elephant induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), from which they could "de-extinct" woolly mammoths, then for creating Colossal Woolly Mouse, or the Mammouse, a proof of concept that mammoth-like traits can be engineered into other animals. Most recently, in a choreographed, but botched, reveal, Colossal made an astonishing claim: they had brought back the dire wolf from extinction. "De-extinction is now a reality," it posted to X. On LinkedIn, representatives wrote the wolves were "the first animals in history to be brought back from extinction." News headlines boldly claimed that "The dire wolf is back," and the "Return of the Dire Wolf." But the photogenic, clickbaitable animals in their public relations campaign are not dire wolves; they are genetically engineered grey wolves that might resemble dire wolves. To me, this feels like an assault on objective truth in pursuit of profit. Colossal's years-long de-extinction campaign is built on a semantic house of cards and the "illusory truth effect" — where if you repeat something enough times, people will believe it. The common-sense definition of de-extinction is reversing extinction — bringing a species that no longer exists back to life. But that's not Colossal's definition. The company has rebranded it as "deëxtinction" or "functional de-extinction" — describing it as "the process of generating an organism that both resembles and is genetically similar to an extinct species [emphasis added]." It ignores that "similar" is relative given all organisms descend from a common ancestor that lived 4.2 billion years ago; humans are more genetically similar to sponges than bacteria, but swapping genes between humans and sponges doesn't transmutate one into the other. A hairy elephant is not a woolly mammoth and a grey wolf with a few genetic alterations isn't a dire wolf. Saying they are with a tweaked definition of de-extinction doesn't make it true. In a subsequent interview with New Scientist, chief scientist at Colossal Beth Shapiro acknowledged that dire wolves haven't been de-extincted, while seemingly claiming Colossal never said they were. "It's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive," she told the publication. "Our animals are grey wolves with 20 edits that are cloned. And we've said that from the very beginning. Colloquially, they're calling them dire wolves and that makes people angry." They further mislead by simplifying and exploiting a nuanced scientific debate over species concepts; because there is no universally agreed-upon species definition, it gives them license to use an alternative, more convenient one. While evolutionary biologists debate whether species are real biological entities or conceptual abstractions, no definition is based on overall similarity. Colossal calls them dire wolves because if they look like this animal, then they are the animal. Much like the meaning of de-extinction, Colossal redefines what it means to be a species. In a remarkable bit of lawfare, Colossal has filed patents that, if accepted as written by the Patent and Trademark Office, would legitimize their definition of de-extinction as a single gene from an extinct species introduced into an extant one. They have also filed for a type of trademark that secures their rights to use the names of the de-extinct "dire wolves," Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, in board games, toys, video games, trading cards, etc., to protect their "brand identity." Thus, if transgenic grey wolf clones are transmutated into dire wolves because Colossal says they are, and if the government agrees with Colossal's definition, then one mutation could turn living species into monetizable and lucrative extinct ones. Related: 'Closer than people think': Woolly mammoth 'de-extinction' is nearing reality — and we have no idea what happens next The foundations of their house of cards are shoddy and built on disinformation, or, as the philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt might say, bulls**t. Who benefits from this colossal bulls**t campaign? Colossal's investors, who I can't imagine care about quiet academic debates over species concepts. Colossal aims to monetize the development and commercialization of cutting-edge biotech, including methods to edit the genome at multiple locations simultaneously, differentiate cells into sperm and eggs, and invent artificial wombs, among others. These techniques are legitimately promising. Developing these methods will have profound implications for human health and disease when successful. When, and I do believe it is when, not if, they succeed, infertility and genetic disease will be a thing of the past. But instead of applying these methods to real problems, the company is focused on selling de-extinction to the public. Colossal's deception is already having real-world consequences. The Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum wrote on on X that the arrival of the dire wolf is a "time to fundamentally change how we think about species conservation," that "the marvel of de-extinction technology can help forge a future where populations are never at risk," and that "The Endangered Species List has become like the Hotel California: once a species enters, they never leave. In fact, 97 percent of species that are added to the endangered list remain there." Burgum declines to note in his post that those 97% of species remain on the list because we have failed to protect their habitats from human encroachment; their populations have not rebounded, therefore, they stay on the list. The Trump administration has announced it will remove protections from many endangered species, citing Colossal's de-extinction of the dire wolf. Who needs to protect endangered species like the red wolves from extinction when we can just introduce one of their extinct genes into a coyote and deëxtinct them? Related stories —Colossal's de-extincted 'dire wolf' isn't a dire wolf and it has not been de-extincted, experts say —How related are dire wolves and gray wolves? The answer might surprise you. —Most complete Tasmanian tiger genome yet pieced together from 110-year-old pickled head In an era where "alternative facts" reign, Colossal's claim to de-extinction is more than just semantics and nonsensical differences in definitions. It is about market capitalization, at the expense of the foundations of scientific integrity and public trust in science and scientists. Their scripted narrative has polluted the information ecosystem, and like a forever chemical, now that it has been introduced, it will linger on. Almost no one who read the fawning and remarkably gullible headlines or saw the TV coverage will read the critical commentary that followed, the news cycle has passed. It's hard to dismantle a multi-year disinformation campaign wielded by a $10 billion biotech Goliath and work toward the de-extinction of truth. But we can speak truth to power and help the public discern science from science fiction, information from misinformation, and breakthroughs from flashy marketing ploys. What Colossal Biosciences offers us is bulls**t in exchange for objective truth. Opinion on Live Science gives you insight on the most important issues in science that affect you and the world around you today, written by experts and leading scientists in their field.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Our animals are gray wolves': Colossal didn't de-extinct dire wolves, chief scientist clarifies
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. On April 7, the biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences announced it had brought dire wolves back from extinction, explicitly stating it was "the rebirth of the once extinct dire wolf." Now, its chief scientist has clarified that those animals weren't really dire wolves. Three snowy white wolves, Khaleesi, Romulus and Remus, made global headlines when the biotechnology company claimed they were the world's first de-extincted dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus), brought back after over 10,000 years of extinction. Researchers were quick to criticize the claim as misleading, noting that the wolves were simply genetically modified gray wolves (Canis lupus). In a new interview, Colossal's chief science officer Beth Shapiro has confirmed that the "dire wolves" are indeed just gray wolves with 20 modified genes. However, she also argued that the company never tried to hide the wolves' identity. "It's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive. Our animals are grey wolves with 20 edits that are cloned," Shapiro told New Scientist. "And we've said that from the very beginning. Colloquially, they're calling them dire wolves and that makes people angry." Related: 6 extinct species that scientists could bring back to life — and 1 they have already resurrected Shapiro's latest comment isn't a significant departure from what she and the company have said previously. Colossal argues that if they create an animal that looks like a dire wolf, then they can call it a dire wolf. Last month, Shapiro said in a Reddit video: "We chose to call them dire wolves because they look like dire wolves and reflect the key traits we found by sequencing their genome." Part of the controversy stems from there being lots of different definitions for a species. Shapiro previously told New Scientist that they are using the "morphological species concept," which means defining a species based on morphology, or appearance. However, most scientists work from the "biological species concept," which means a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. That means while animals in the same species may look the same, their appearance doesn't define them as a species. In the case of the dire wolf, it went extinct more than 10,000 years ago, so researchers haven't seen one. Furthermore, Colossal doesn't always explain its nuanced approach to naming animals in its communications. When Colossal unveiled its wolves, it released a statement — and other documents, posts and videos — that presented the animals as dire wolves, not genetically modified gray wolves. The company explained how it had edited the genes of gray wolves and detailed the process, but the top line was the birth of the "once extinct dire wolf," not a modified gray wolf. "We didn't ever hide that that's what it was," Shapiro told New Scientist. "People were mad because we were calling them dire wolves. Then they say to us, but they're just grey wolves with 20 edits. But the point is we said that from the beginning. They're grey wolves with 20 edits." Live Science approached Colossal for comment, and the company restated that it had brought back the dire wolf. "In our press release, we stated we made 20 gene edits to grey wolf cells," a spokesperson for the company said. "Grey wolves are the closest living relative to the dire wolves, as we showed in our paper. With those edits, we have brought back the dire wolf…" "We have also said that species are ultimately a human construct and that other scientists have a right to disagree and call them whatever they want to call them. Khaleesi, Romulus and Remus are the first dire wolves to walk the Earth in 12,000 years. They are doing amazingly well and are a testament to what we can achieve as we continue on our goal of bringing back the dodo, thylacine, and woolly mammoth, among other species." Colossal's scientists based their genetically modified wolves on dire wolf DNA, which they extracted from fossils. They then collected cells from gray wolf blood and modified those cells to resemble what they found in the dire wolf genome. Next, they inserted the modified cells' DNA into gray wolf egg cells, and put the resulting embryos into the womb of a domestic dog. RELATED STORIES —How related are dire wolves and gray wolves? The answer might surprise you. —Oldest-known North American woolly mammoth revealed in 'long-lost' ancient DNA —'We didn't know they were going to be this cute': Scientists unveil genetically engineered 'woolly mice' Genetically modifying the wolves was a long and complicated process, but Colossal only made 20 tweaks to 14 gray wolf genes, changing traits like hair color and body size. However, while the two species share a lot of the same DNA, there are many genetic differences between them. "Colossal has said that the gray wolf and dire wolf genomes are 99.5% identical, but that is still 12,235,000 individual differences," Nic Lawrence, a paleogeneticist and associate professor at the University of Otago in New Zealand, previously told Vox. "So a gray wolf with 20 edits to 14 genes, even if these are key differences, is still very much a gray wolf."
Geek Girl Authority
12-05-2025
- Science
- Geek Girl Authority
Beth Shapiro's Quest to Revive the Past and Save the Future
In the world of evolutionary biology, few scientists have made as significant an impact on both academic research and practical conservation as Dr. Beth Shapiro . Recently elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, Shapiro has established herself as a trailblazing force in paleogenomics—the study of ancient DNA—and is now applying her expertise to one of science's most ambitious endeavors: bringing extinct species back to life. From Academic Excellence to De-Extinction Leadership Shapiro's impressive credentials speak to a career dedicated to understanding the genetic history of our planet. A professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, she has been recognized as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, an HHMI Professor, and received the MacArthur 'Genius' Fellowship in 2009. Her academic work in the Paleogenomics Lab at UC Santa Cruz has focused on using genetic material recovered from ancient remains to study evolution and track how species and ecosystems have changed over time. Currently on leave from her university position, Shapiro serves as Chief Science Officer at Colossal Biosciences, where she has played a pivotal role in the successful de-extinction of the dire wolf —a species that disappeared approximately 12,000 years ago. 'What conservation needs is bold ideas and bold action,' Shapiro explains regarding the breakthrough. 'This breakthrough showcases that humans are capable of both. We can use biotechnologies to speed up the processes of selection and adaptation. With the successful birth of Colossal's engineered dire wolf , we are one step closer to a world in which these tools are among those at our disposal to help species thrive in their rapidly changing habitats.' Revolutionizing Ancient DNA Analysis Under Shapiro's scientific leadership, Colossal achieved what many considered impossible: extracting viable genetic information from dire wolf fossils dating back 13,000 and 72,000 years, then using this information to guide precision genetic engineering. 'Our novel approach to iteratively improve our ancient genome in the absence of a perfect reference sets a new standard for paleogenome reconstruction,' Shapiro notes. 'Together with improved approaches to recover ancient DNA, these computational advances allowed us to resolve the evolutionary history of dire wolves and establish the genomic foundation for de-extinction—specifically for selecting with confidence dire wolf specific genetic variants that establish our targets for gene editing.' This methodical approach led to several significant discoveries about dire wolf evolution . Contrary to previous uncertainty, Shapiro's team confirmed that gray wolves are the dire wolves' closest living relatives, sharing 99.5% of their DNA. They also discovered that dire wolves emerged through hybridization of two ancient canid lineages between 3.5 and 2.5 million years ago, resolving longstanding questions about the species' origins. Building a Bridge Between De-Extinction and Conservation Perhaps most significantly, Shapiro has ensured that the de-extinction technology developed for the dire wolf provides immediate benefits for endangered species conservation. The same techniques used to resurrect the dire wolf have already been applied to clone critically endangered red wolves , demonstrating how cutting-edge genomic science can directly support traditional conservation efforts. 'Functional de-extinction uses the safest and most effective approach to bring back the lost phenotypes that make an extinct species unique,' Shapiro explains. 'We turn to ancient DNA to learn as much as we can about each species and, whenever possible, to link specific extinct DNA sequence variants to each key trait. In some cases, we learn that variants already present in the surrogate species can be used to engineer that key trait.' This thoughtful, science-based approach highlights Shapiro's commitment to both innovation and ethical considerations. Rather than rushing to recreate extinct species without considering potential genetic side effects, her team carefully evaluates each genetic modification for its broader impacts on animal health and welfare. Communicating Science to the Public Beyond her research, Shapiro is an accomplished science communicator. Her award-winning books, including 'Life as We Made It,' explore genetic modification in the context of history, archaeology, paleontology, and genomics. This ability to translate complex scientific concepts for general audiences has made her a valuable voice in public discussions about de-extinction and conservation genetics. Her election to the National Academy of Sciences recognizes not only her groundbreaking research but also her role in establishing new scientific frameworks that may reshape our approach to biodiversity conservation in the 21st century. The Future of Conservation Genomics As Colossal moves forward with plans for additional de-extinction projects, including the woolly mammoth by 2028, Shapiro's scientific leadership ensures that these efforts remain grounded in rigorous research methodology and ethical considerations. The successful revival of dire wolves isn't just a technological milestone—it's a testament to how paleogenomics, under the guidance of scientists like Shapiro, can provide new pathways for addressing biodiversity challenges. Her work represents a promising convergence of ancient DNA analysis, cutting-edge genetic engineering, and practical conservation applications that may help us preserve and even restore Earth's threatened biodiversity. With her recent election to the National Academy of Sciences adding further validation to her innovative approach, Beth Shapiro stands as a pioneer at the frontier of what may be the next evolution of conservation science—using our understanding of the past to create new possibilities for the future. Mood Altering Plants Infect Eerie LITTLE JOE Trailer RELATED: REVIVAL: Check Out 9 First-Look Photos From Melanie Scrofano-Led Series
Time Magazine
08-05-2025
- Science
- Time Magazine
Beth Shapiro
Beth Shapiro, chief science officer of Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences, might be most famous for the company's current controversial mission to de-extinct the woolly mammoth in 2028. Colossal made news in April with the announcement that it had used genetic engineering to bring back the ancient dire wolf, and it intends to do the same for other species, including the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger. But Shapiro, who specialized in ancient DNA research at Oxford University, Penn State University, and elsewhere, also uses her gene-editing skills to help protect endangered species like the red wolf and the Asian elephant. The same genetic engineering tools behind the de-extinction of vanished species can be used to breed hardiness or greater genetic variety into existing ones threatened with extinction. Shapiro believes that we owe this to both the Earth and to ourselves. "Conservation isn't just about saving species, but about maintaining the ecological conditions that protect human health," she wrote to TIME, noting that the ecosystem collapse that results from extinction also breeds animal diseases that have been known to jump to humans. Beyond that, the science she is leading at Colossal has applications in human health. Her team uses organoid models to experiment with the effects of gene editing on real tissue outside of a living animal—but that can also be done for humans. "Vascularized organoids develop into complex structures that are physiologically relevant models for studying diseases," she says. "Because they can be grown from a particular individual, [they can be used for] testing personalized treatments for cancers and other diseases."
