Are species worth saving?

Can they be resurrected by technology? What is the use of species in biomedicine? These questions all depend on a clear definition of the concept of species, yet biologists have long struggled to define this term.

Introduction to the concept of species

In this accessible book, John S. Wilkins provides an introduction to the concept of species in biology, philosophy, ethics, policymaking and conservation. Using clear language and easy-to-understand examples throughout, the book provides a history of species and why we use them.

Encouragement to appreciate the concept

It encourages readers to appreciate the philosophical depth of the concept as well as its connections to logic and science. For any interested reader, this short text highlights the complexities of a single idea in biology, the problems with the concept of species and the benefits of it in helping us to answer the bigger questions and understand our living world.