Genetically Engineered War Dogs To Launch

A new company plans to build better war dogs, and it has secured $200 million to do so. The startup, Warhound, launched this week with backing from investors like Sequoia and In-Q-Tel, a venture firm funded by the CIA. The funding values the project at $1.2 billion. The venture aims to genetically engineer canines for the military, police, and emergency responders.

The project addresses a critical shortage of working animals. Reports indicate that over 80% of the military's working dogs are sourced from Europe, and fewer than half of those animals are fit for service. This reliance on foreign nations creates a dwindling supply of dogs needed for dangerous tasks like bomb detection and searches. Warhound intends to engineer dogs with traits specifically suited for demanding missions to solve this issue.

The idea formed when Ben Lamm met Palmer Luckey at a conference about a year ago. After discussing the need for better support for military dogs, Lamm began researching how they are bred. He found that many fail training due to inherited issues like poor eyesight, cancer, or muscle atrophy. Lamm believes he can enhance dogs for health, longevity, and performance. To do this, his team is taking cell lines from top-performing breeds like the Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd. They plan to edit these genes to create a new type of dog.

While Colossal handles the genetics, Anduril will provide the equipment. Anduril's software and hardware will include protection vests and goggles to assist handlers. These tools are designed to improve situational awareness for the animals. For instance, the company is developing vests equipped with data sensors. Such devices would send information back to handlers, helping them understand the situation better. Lamm noted that Luckey owns no equity in the venture, though Colossal does.

The first batch of dogs is ready to be cloned and incubated. Births are expected early next year, with service starting within two years. The American Humane Society is guiding the training program to ensure the animals are treated humanely. Warhound plans to sell the dogs to the Department of Defense, first responders, and police forces. The company has briefed government groups about the business. Pricing for the dogs has not yet been determined.

The American Humane Society responded to the announcement with a statement. The group said, "We applaud Warhound and Colossal for inviting the country's first national humane organization, which is grounded in science and ethics, to have a seat at the table." The organization looks forward to working with them to ensure proper care for the animals. This collaboration aims to certify training programs for the new dogs.