How the Dire Wolf Launch Got Leaked Before It Was Ready | MOONSHOTS
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Title: How the Dire Wolf Launch Got Leaked Before It Was Ready
Published: April 24, 2025
Author: Peter H. Diamandis
Watch it hereOverview:
In this episode, Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, discusses the unexpected early launch of the Dire Wolf project. The launch, originally scheduled for a Tuesday, was leaked on Monday, resulting in significant media coverage and subsequent fallout. Key points include:
- Preparation: The team had extensive press materials ready, including scientific papers and handouts, intended for an embargoed release to key media outlets.
- Launch Leak: Despite careful planning, a leak from The New Yorker led to premature coverage that conflicted with their timeline, leaving the team scrambling.
- Public Reaction: While positive media stories were generated, much of the scientific context was lost in the immediate coverage, leading to misunderstandings about the project, including backlash from the academic community.
- Conservation Efforts: Lamm highlights that not only were dire wolves created, but they also cloned critically endangered red wolves using novel techniques, which were not adequately covered by the press.
- Philosophical Debate: The discussion shifted to what defines a species, reflecting the complexities and debates within the scientific community about deextinction.
- Long-Term Vision: Colossal aims to contribute to conservation over a 50-year horizon, emphasizing the need to think long-term despite short-term media frenzy.
Conclusion: This week changed the trajectory for Colossal, illustrating the challenges of communicating complex scientific endeavors to the public and the media, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable conservation efforts.