[NYP] The dogs of war could soon be getting a DNA upgrade.
Silicon Valley heavyweights are pouring $200 million into a straight-out-of-sci-fi plan to genetically engineer military dogs — potentially giving them wolf-like sniffing powers and outfitting them with high-tech combat armor.
A Texas-based startup called Warhound has already reached a reported $1.2 billion valuation despite not yet producing a single genetically modified puppy.
The ambitious venture was conceived by Palmer Luckey, founder of defense technology giant Anduril, and Ben Lamm, whose Colossal Biosciences made headlines for its controversial effort to resurrect the extinct dire wolf.
Warhound aims to clone America’s most elite military and police dogs, then use genetic engineering to eliminate health problems and potentially enhance their physical abilities.
The company has already obtained blood samples from elite dogs used by armed forces, law enforcement and first responders, with the aim of cloning the animals, Lamm told Wired.
The animals will be “mostly Belgian Malinois, some labs, and some shepherds,” he said.
The company isn’t stopping at cloning.
Its initial genetic modifications will target ailments including hip dysplasia, a condition that can hamper working dogs.
Eventually, Lamm envisions moving into “really interesting things,” including potentially inserting olfactory receptor genes from wolves to “enhance” the animals’ sense of smell, according to Wired.
The project represents a new frontier for Colossal. It sparked controversy last year after unveiling genetically engineered wolves that it said were extinct dire wolves brought back to life.
Scientists disputed whether the animals amounted to a genuine resurrection of the prehistoric predator.
Warhound’s ambitions extend beyond genetic engineering.
The startup plans to equip its canine creations with technology from Luckey’s Anduril, including protective armor, sensors, software and systems designed to improve battlefield awareness.
A company press release touted “Anduril’s advanced cybernetic Augments, software, and battlefield situational awareness,” according to Wired.
Despite the futuristic language, Lamm insisted the technology would involve equipment worn by the animals rather than surgically implanted electronics.
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