A review by dessa
Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction by Britt Wray

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!