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BY Chris Morris

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Theatergoers have been fans of the line “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war” since 1599. Now venture capitalists are coming around to the phrase.

A new startup called Warhound has emerged from stealth with $200 million in funding to genetically engineer dogs for the U.S. military and equip them with high-tech gear. Its founders call it a modernization of America’s military working-dog program.

Those founders know more than a bit about both genetic modification and warfare. Warhound was conceived by Colossal co-founder Ben Lamm and Palmer Luckey, co-founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries and founder of Oculus VR.

Colossal is best known for its ongoing attempts to “de-extinct” several animal species, including the woolly mammoth and the dodo. Anduril has received more than $25 billion in government and defense contracts.

“Every day, we ask dogs to put their lives on the line to protect ours.…