In 2025, Colossal Biosciences claimed to have "resurrected" dire wolves, a species extinct for 12,500 years, showcasing technological achievement. Concurrently, a report highlighted a 22% decline in global butterfly populations over two decades due to pesticides and habitat loss, underscoring the inadequacy of de-extinction efforts for ecosystem restoration. This broader insect decline threatens pollinators and food sources, prompting questions about prioritizing such technological feats over sustainable solutions for existing species and their habitats.