A popular topic of discussion this past week has been the return of the dire wolves. Brought back by privately held company, Colossal Biosciences, using genetic genetic editing techniques, three pups are claimed to come from a hybrid dire wolf-grey wolf DNA sequence. Although they are not truly the wolves of the past, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi have sparked a contentious online discourse.
Could this be the future? Well, it appears to already be here. Though no AI is specifically cited as part of the process, it is unlikely that AI was not used. This raises another concern. How far can, or should we, take genetics into our own hands? It is unclear what the purpose of attempting to bring back a prehistoric apex predator is. The lines are further blurred if and when it becomes evident that this trio serves this organization as something to be poked, prodded, and tested for future endeavors.
However, this is not the first time technology and science has allowed us to play God. The expanding conversation around eugenics is becoming an increasingly important one to have as AI makes these aspirations more plausible on a wide scale. What started out as designer babies and eradicating disabilities has evolved into a near future with unforeseeable long term effects, especially in our polarized global political climate. The fear mongering of the past around the cloned sheep was a warning to future generations. It may have just been praying on the uncertainty of the masses, and in this case it may be too soon to tell, but nature seems to have a way of rebalancing itself after humans lead with too heavy of a hand.
These wolves very well could be indicative of a world where something as far fetched as living alongside wooly mammoths becomes possible once again, and soon. Next, we will have our very own Jurassic Park, where creatures are birthed and studied in the name of science, brought to you by AI and ethically ambiguous technology. Cloning sheep was just the beginning.
zainadeaifi 
Leave a comment