Scan barcode
dessa's review
3.0
There is so much cool shit in this book and this topic, but the framework seemed distinctly wobbly. For some reason, Wray seems to think she has to pass judgement on the scientific or moral value of these projects. This proves an impossible task, and her awkward self-insertions and navel-gazing had me rolling my eyes more than once, twice, thrice. Finally, don’t cast shade at Donna Haraway just because she doesn’t have time for a full interview! She sent you a very nice email which you were able to quote at length! She’s very busy! Count your blessings that she responded to your email in the first place! SMH! Anyway, yes, pick this up and learn about mammoths and thylacines and passenger pigeons. But also stop to question why no one seems interested in bringing back extinct fish or insects. Could this entire scientific niche be about assuaging our guilt about driving adorable things to extinction? Unemotional reptiles and annoying creatures need not apply!
brishen's review
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this entire book.
The first part is all on the science of bringing back extinct species and I was quite fascinated by the different ways that this is being tried. However, what I really liked were the later chapters that focused the ethics of bringing these species back. I suppose that I hadn't given it much thought, just figured that this would always be a curiosity in a zoo or enclosure. Of course though, as the book points out: a few individuals do not a species make, and truly bringing them back will require a huge effort, a ton of resources, and the ability to answer the question of why? It was the last bit of the book that goes deep into this question bringing together the thoughts and ideas of individuals who have given this a lot thought that I really enjoyed. It's given me a completely different view of the entire idea.
The first part is all on the science of bringing back extinct species and I was quite fascinated by the different ways that this is being tried. However, what I really liked were the later chapters that focused the ethics of bringing these species back. I suppose that I hadn't given it much thought, just figured that this would always be a curiosity in a zoo or enclosure. Of course though, as the book points out: a few individuals do not a species make, and truly bringing them back will require a huge effort, a ton of resources, and the ability to answer the question of why? It was the last bit of the book that goes deep into this question bringing together the thoughts and ideas of individuals who have given this a lot thought that I really enjoyed. It's given me a completely different view of the entire idea.
alyssatuininga's review
5.0
Exceptionally well written, researched and thoughtfully laid out. Examines current research in de-extinction, moral/ethical/legal discussions, impacts on current endangered species and the current methodology. Easy to read, interesting and well done.
paladinboy's review
3.0
Good for prompts of discussion of the topics and writing is not overly technical so it could be used as a launching point for more research, but it lacks detail and citations.
dfparizeau's review against another edition
3.0
Soooo it turns out "Jurassic Park" isn't far-fetched after all, huh? We may be talking mammoths, thylacines, and carrier pigeons (oh my!) instead of T-Rex and velociraptors, but still...
While sometimes the organization of some of the chapters (particularly towards the last quarter of the book) felt a bit crammed and disorganized, this was one of the funnest non-fiction reads for me in awhile. Wray is careful to temper the exciting science behind de-extinction, by raising ethical queries and logistical questions. While she certainly could have addressed the potential involvement of Jeff Goldblum a bit more thoroughly, I do appreciate that she was able to keep a layperson like me--with no real aptitude for grasping scientific concepts--hooked from start to finish.
While sometimes the organization of some of the chapters (particularly towards the last quarter of the book) felt a bit crammed and disorganized, this was one of the funnest non-fiction reads for me in awhile. Wray is careful to temper the exciting science behind de-extinction, by raising ethical queries and logistical questions. While she certainly could have addressed the potential involvement of Jeff Goldblum a bit more thoroughly, I do appreciate that she was able to keep a layperson like me--with no real aptitude for grasping scientific concepts--hooked from start to finish.
zyphax's review
4.0
An interesting and thorough review of the issues surrounding de-extinction. I'm a scientist in another field of study, and found Wray explained the science behind de-extinction with enough brevity to not get bogged down and enough of the right details to get the point across.