Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction

I will be dipping into this book again and again."—Philip Seddon, Co-author of the IUCN De-extinction Guidelines and Professor of Zoology, University of Otago, New Zealand . "Rise of the Necrofauna is a captivating whirlwind tour through the birth and early life of the scientific idea known as “de-extinction.” A combination of informative storytelling and personal journey, the book explores the principles of ethics and morality that guide both the proponents and critics of the idea, deciding in the end that both sides are probably right. "—Beth Shapiro, author of How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction"One of the most lucid and c

She introduces us to renowned futurists like Stewart Brand and scientists like George Church, who are harnessing the powers of CRISPR gene editing in the hopes of "reviving" extinct passenger pigeons, woolly mammoths, and heath hens. Jurassic Park meets The Sixth Extinction in Rise of the Necrofauna, a provocative look at de-extinction from acclaimed documentarist and science writer Britt Wray.A captivating whirlwind tour through the birth and early life of the scientific idea known as “de-extinction.”—Beth Shapiro, author of How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-ExtinctionWhat happens when you try to recreate a woolly mammoth—fascinating science, or conservation catastrophe?In Rise of the Necrofauna, Wray takes us deep into the minds and labs of some of the world's most progressive thinkers to find out. Writing with passion and perspective, Wray delves into the larger questions that come with this incredible new science, reminding us that de-extinction could bring just as many dangers as it does possibilities. What happens, for example, when we bring an "unextinct" creature back into the wild? How can we care for these strange animals and ensure their comfort and safety—not to mention our own? And what does de-extinction mean for tho

He is the author of Regenesis: How Synthetic Biology Will Reinvent Nature and Ourselves and was recently named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People for his contributions to genetic research. Britt Wray is a radio broadcaster and writer and has worked as a host and producer on programs for CBC Radio. She holds a BSc in Biology and is a PhD candidate in Science Communication with a Focus on Synthetic Biology at the University of Copenh