How the dire wolf was brought back (Colossal Biosciences’ Ben Lamm) | Rapid Response
About Ben
- Co-founder & CEO of Colossal Biosciences, valued at $10B in 2025.
- Led Colossal in achieving the first resurrection of the extinct dire wolf.
- Serial founder with multiple successful exits: Hypergiant, Conversable, Chaotic Moon, Team Chaos.
- Fellow of the Explorer’s Club; advisor to the Planetary Society and Arch Mission Foundation.
- Spearheaded breakthroughs in de-extinction and conservation biotech, inspiring global media attention.
| 32:21
One recent scientific breakthrough set the internet ablaze: The ‘de-extinction’ of the dire wolf. While many celebrated Colossal Biosciences’ announcement, the experiment also sparked controversy throughout the scientific community — namely the ethics of birthing and rewilding extinct animals, and whether Colossal’s dire wolf puppies are the real thing. Colossal’s co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm joins Rapid Response to take us inside the dire wolf journey, revealing how the start-up attracted a roster of celebrity investors, and what the company’s technology means for not only conservation and biodiversity, but potentially the future of human health.
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Benn Lamm
01:39 Resurrecting the dire wolf
06:42 Debate over species authenticity
09:32 Building a business out of de-extinction
11:38 The 3 societal benefits behind de-extinction
13:06 Inside Colossal’s business model
16:17 Where the dire wolves are currently living
17:58 What else Colossal is working on
20:05 Celebrity investments and media attention
21:40 Addressing ethical concerns
26:32 Future implications and technological boundaries
28:37 The powerful pairing of synthetic biology and AI
30:04 What’s at stake for the future of conservation?
