This past week, a genetics startup company, Colossal Biosciences, claims to have created the first de-extinct organism, the dire wolf. Dire wolves have been absent from the North American continent for around ten thousand years until two cubs were born using genome editing from a grey wolf and a nearly complete dire wolf genome. This genetic feat is a miracle of modern-day science, and the push to de-extinct other species is already in talks.

Davidson College’s genetics department is rumored to have already begun research into bringing back one of the crucial megafauna of the Davidson ecosystem: Lux. The old mascot went extinct almost one year ago due to drastic environmental changes, one of which being a new basketball coach who is said to have slowly destroyed the successful infrastructure in the area and an increase in predators like the MSBG and peepers. 

A genomics major is spearheading this effort through an independent study with professor El Bejjani. The experimentation is taking place in Base Wall next to the cocaine rats. The same technology that was used for the scrapped “Barney” reboot is being used for this mascot regeneration. The researchers have targeted certain genetic sequences that distinguish a mascot’s phenotypical form from each other. This new Lux—though it will not retain the previous Lux’s memories—will be identical to Beta Lux, as researchers have named it.

We won’t see Roary and the new Lux duel it out until Lux undergoes proper training and rehabilitation to soothe possible aggressive errors in the gene-encoding phase. Lux will be equipped with formal training in multiple martial arts disciplines, mastering these sacred arts to reassume power. 

See you soon, Lux! Xx <3