Bring Back the King

$12.79

Taxes may apply at checkout.

Preview sample

Bring Back the King

The New Science of De-extinction

Popular science Genetics (non-medical) Endangered species and extinction of species Genetic engineering

Author: Helen Pilcher

Dinosaur mascot

Language: English

Published by: Bloomsbury Sigma

Published on: 22nd September 2016

Format: LCP-protected ePub

Size: 288 pages

ISBN: 9781472912282


Introduction

If you could bring back just one animal from the past, what would you choose? It can be anyone or anything from history, from the King of the Dinosaurs, T. rex, to the King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley, and beyond.

De-extinction – the ability to bring extinct species back to life – is fast becoming reality. Around the globe, scientists are trying to de-extinct all manner of animals, including the woolly mammoth, the passenger pigeon and a bizarre species of flatulent frog. But de-extinction is more than just bringing back the dead. It’s a science that can be used to save species, shape evolution and sculpt the future of life on our planet.

About the Book

In Bring Back the King, scientist and comedy writer Helen Pilcher goes on a quest to identify the perfect de-extinction candidate. Along the way, she asks if Elvis could be recreated from the DNA inside a pickled wart, investigates whether it’s possible to raise a pet dodo, and considers the odds of a 21st century Neanderthal turning heads on public transport.

Conclusion

Pondering the practicalities and the point of de-extinction, Bring Back the King is a witty and wry exploration of what is bound to become one of the hottest topics in conservation – if not in science as a whole – in the years to come. READ THIS BOOK – the King commands it.

Show moreShow less