Aug 26, 2026 · 34 min · 22 segments
When evolutionary biologist Vincent Lynch heard the news that a $10 billion biotech company had brought the once extinct dire wolf back to life, he called foul. He took to the media to argue that…
Howard WolinskyGuest
Nic RawlenceGuestFrom NHPR, this is Outside In, a show where curiosity and the natural world collide.
So did he do it like in the movies where they, like, throw it through the door, or, like, how did it go down?
He asked me to confirm my identity, and once I did, then he just handed it to me.
And my first thought was, um, you know, you get a little hot [laughs] when, when you think you're legally in trouble.
It's like, it's like when the police are behind you, and you know you're not doing anything wrong, but you're running through your head, like, "Have I ever done anything wrong?" Sort of that feeling.
At first glance, the letter looked like a cease and desist order, but as Vincent looked closer ...
And so I read it o- m- my wife, too, read it over and over and over, and [laughs] we realized that there's no legal justification in the thing.
Today on the show, we have a story that feels like it was ripped from the pages of Jurassic Park, one with long-extinct creatures and genetic manipulation, a story about what happens when the principle of scientific debate comes up against the reality and power of corporate science.
When they start going after you and accusing you of being racist, it starts hitting home a lot more.
You know, he suffers no fools and doesn't feel any reason to be polite about it.
I have a problem with what I believe is an intentional disinformation campaign.
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From NHPR, this is Outside In, a show where curiosity and the natural world collide.
So did he do it like in the movies where they, like, throw it through the door, or, like, how did it go down?
He asked me to confirm my identity, and once I did, then he just handed it to me.
And my first thought was, um, you know, you get a little hot [laughs] when, when you think you're legally in trouble.
It's like, it's like when the police are behind you, and you know you're not doing anything wrong, but you're running through your head, like, "Have I ever done anything wrong?" Sort of that feeling.
At first glance, the letter looked like a cease and desist order, but as Vincent looked closer ...
And so I read it o- m- my wife, too, read it over and over and over, and [laughs] we realized that there's no legal justification in the thing.
Today on the show, we have a story that feels like it was ripped from the pages of Jurassic Park, one with long-extinct creatures and genetic manipulation, a story about what happens when the principle of scientific debate comes up against the reality and power of corporate science.
When they start going after you and accusing you of being racist, it starts hitting home a lot more.
You know, he suffers no fools and doesn't feel any reason to be polite about it.
I have a problem with what I believe is an intentional disinformation campaign.