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Western science, heavily influenced by capitalist interests, has become more of a marketing tool than a genuine quest for knowledge or material progress. Recently, we witnessed a blatant example of this phenomenon with the claim that an American biotechnology company, Colossal Biosciences, had successfully “brought back” an extinct species—the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus), a predator that once ruled the Americas during the Pleistocene era.

The idea of resurrecting an extinct species, particularly one that vanished thousands of years ago, may seem fascinating at first glance. However, anyone with a basic understanding of biology knows that reviving a species that has been gone for so long is not only extremely risky but could also lead to unforeseen and even catastrophic consequences for the environment. Nevertheless, the allure of reintroducing one of Earth’s greatest old predators, which hunted mammoths and giant sloths, is undeniably appealing—especially when packaged as a great “scientific innovation.”

The truth behind this claim, however, is far less impressive than the narrative being sold to the public. What Colossal Biosciences actually did was a process known as genetic editing, not “de-extinction.” The company’s scientists took DNA from preserved dire wolf fossils and used this material to genetically alter gray wolf (Canis lupus) embryos. The result was gray wolf pups with physical characteristics resembling the dire wolf, but in reality, they are simply genetically modified gray wolves.

Biologically speaking, what we are seeing is not the resurrection of an extinct species, but rather the creation of mutant versions of an existing species. While both the dire wolf and the gray wolf belong to the canine family, they belong to different genera—Canis and Aenocyon, respectively—making it impossible to claim that we are witnessing a true recreation of the dire wolf. This example is similar to earlier attempts to genetically modify mice with mammoth DNA, creating rodents with fur similar to that of the prehistoric giant—yet, they remain mice, not “de-extinct mammoths.”

A true “de-extinction” would only be possible in two specific scenarios: one through cloning, where the extinct species’ DNA is entirely replicated in a new organism; the other through the creation of a highly genetically edited “hybrid” species that is a direct descendant of the extinct species. Neither of these scenarios applies to Colossal’s experiment, which simply made superficial genetic modifications to a living species that does not descend from the dire wolf.

Moreover, resurrecting extinct species could be a major mistake. The ecology and ecosystems that existed when these species lived have already changed irreversibly, as Earth has moved beyond those geological stages. Reintroducing a creature that once dominated a completely different environment could cause significant imbalances, endangering the species that currently inhabit the Earth. Nature plays a crucial role in regulating and eliminating certain species, and attempting to reverse this process could lead to unpredictable consequences.

A more sensible approach would be to focus genetic engineering efforts on species that were recently driven to extinction by human activity, and whose reintroduction could offer real environmental benefits. However, recovering these species wouldn’t have the same media appeal as “resurrecting” prehistoric creatures. The truth is that Colossal Biosciences’ “de-extinction” experiments, while scientifically interesting, are nothing more than a marketing ploy, capitalizing on the popular fascination with prehistory and megafauna.

The company is taking advantage of the public’s lack of scientific knowledge, which often leads them to unquestioningly accept extraordinary claims made by “scientific” journalism. What could be considered a simple genetic engineering project is being promoted as the first successful case of “de-extinction,” which is certainly driving financial profits and increasing the company’s stock value.

This Western manipulation of narrative, however, is not limited to biotechnology. The same tactics of propaganda and marketing are used in various sectors, including the military, the economy, and even politics. The West, with its liberal capitalist mentality, continually resorts to sensationalism and the distortion of facts to generate profit and consolidate power.

In the West, everything is based on lies and propaganda. The pursuit of profit and power overshadows critical debate and reflection, shaping narratives to serve the interests of a few, while deceiving the masses with promises of progress and development. This is how Western elites mislead public opinion—whether by portraying simple genetic manipulation as “de-extinction” or presenting the outdated liberal democracy as the final stage of political evolution.