De-Extinction: The Science of Bringing Lost Species Back to Life

by Rebecca E. Hirsch

In the twenty-first century, because of climate change and other human activities, many animal species have become extinct, and many others are at risk of extinction. Once they are gone, we cannot bring them back--or can we?

With techniques such as cloning, scientists want to reverse extinction and return lost species to the wild. Some scientists want to create clones of recently extinct animals, while others want to make new hybrid animals.

Many people are opposed to de-extinction. Some critics say that the work diverts attention from efforts to save species that are endangered. Others say that de-extinction amounts to scientists "playing God." Explore the pros and cons of de-extinction and the cutting-edge science that makes it possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Teen, Animals, Middle Grade

120 pages, Library Binding

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Rebecca E. Hirsch is a botanist-turned-writer and the author of more than 80 science and nature books for children. Her books have won a Riverby Award, a Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, a Green Earth Book Award Honor, and many starred reviews. www.rebeccahirsch.com

Reviews

[Jenny Ashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is Jurassic Park just around the corner? This book about finding ways to bring extinct animals back says very clearly that we won't be seeing dinosaurs and carefully explains why that is. It does, however, show the steps that are being taken to bring other extinct animals back to life. Complicated science is presented in a comprehensible way - or as comprehensible as it can be when you are explaining pretty dense topics. (There were times I was still a little lost.) While reading, I was beginning to wonder if we would ever hear about more than mammoths and wondering why we'd want to resurrect them anyway? But then we segued into Asian elephants and how mammoth DNA might help their flagging populations and I was back in it. Even more so when I learned about how elephant/mammoth hybrids could help the mammoth steppe. One thing I appreciated a lot was the presentation of science as unquestioning reality. That might seem obvious, but in our current era you can just take that for granted. Evolution, the fossil record, DNA, climate change, and more are discussed as the facts they are with nary a "many people believe" intro to lessen the impact of the facts. A really interesting, thoughtful, objective look at environmental issues and how science is working on them.

[Nicole Weimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jurassic Park nerd in my loved the idea of this book! I was fascinated with the idea of mixing elephant and Mammoth DNA to bring back an new version of an extinct species. The book was filled with interesting facts and you don't need a PHD to understand the science behind the de-extinction process, BUT the book really doesn't have a lot of examples and success stories. De-extinction has great pictures and insight, but I just wanted a little more in the way of examples. A very short read of 97 pages with a full index and glossary.

[Wendi Lau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I liked the author's inclusion of not only can we but should we. Scientists should always ask themselves this question.

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of the idea of de-extinction. I think it would be amazing to be able to bring lost species back to life - whether through the advent of cloning, genetic editing, or back-breeding. To be able to return something like an aurochs to the forests of Europe, something like a mammoth (ideally a genetically edited Asian elephant) to recreate the mammoth steppe, and the passenger pigeon to America to help reestablish the American Chestnut forests of old... it's wonderful. It would allow scientists to shine a light upon the importance of biodiversity, of habitat conservation, and allow the reestablishment of endangered species by restoring habitats now long lost.

This children's book explains the above and more by highlighting the work of Revive & Restore. Introducing children to concepts such as that of rewilding is a wonderful, beautiful thing. By giving kids access to books such as this we will be able to create a new generation of conservationists who view conservation through a myriad of different lenses. It will breathe fresh air into old movements, and allow children to learn important concepts such as habitat protection and how complicated conservation efforts can be - the story of the Whooping Crane is a great one for that.

I loved this book, and learned a bit myself from it even though I've already read books on the topic such as How to Clone a Mammoth. I can't wait to read and learn more - and I hope I'll be able to see a live Passenger Pigeon within my lifetime. Martha's story is so heartbreaking.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, first of all it references with the word 'possibly' the even referenced here: "it is now widely accepted that the devastation and climate disruption from the impact was the cause of the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. Why bother with the qualifier in a children's book which has a focus other than the main subject of the book? I mean, yes, science is all about theories and theories can (and should) evolve, and it's important that children learn that. But the sentence that used the word 'possibly' didn't need it, and it brought me up short to do research. And it makes me feel that maybe the rest of the book is going to be inaccurate, incomplete, biased, or in some other way not worth my time.

Second, the charts and diagrams seem confusing to me. For example: What does the green area in the graph on p. 15 mean? It almost looks like the claim is being made that there has been a steady rate in decline of species over the last 600 million years, barring the mass extinctions and other moderate (?) extinction events. I would like to know more, because I have no reason to suspect that there was lower diversity 6 million years ago vs. 600 mya. After all, new species do evolve all the time.

And don't say 'well it's just a kids' book.' Young people need and deserve good science.
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Ok done.

It got less frustrating. I read or closely skimmed the whole short thing and am glad that I did. But it's also from 2017 in a fast-evolving field, so, dated. I think those interested might be better off researching online. It's more valuable, at least for me, to get an overview of some of the ideas and efforts 'so far.'

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the discovery of cloning, scientists were able to bring an extinct species back to life - the Bucardo, a wild Spanish goat with fabulous horns, but the baby was born with a lung problem and only lived 10 minutes, so it’s the only species to become extinct twice. Now scientists are looking at the possibilities and problems of regenerating extinct animals. The Mammoth - they don’t have good DNA but they have enough to build a genome - so maybe a hybrid elephant/mammoth is a possibility? What about passenger pigeons, the tasmanian tiger or even the white rhino (which is not extinct yet, but will most likely be soon)? Some say they are saving the environment, fixing the problems humans caused, other disagree and say they are trying to play God.

Fully illustrated, with side bars explaining the science, the six chapters are divided into short, easy to understand sections, so it isn’t overwhelming, even though there is a lot of science in it. Includes source notes, a glossary, bibliography and index. This is a fabulous source for a project on cloning, environment, wildlife preservation or extinct animals, with lots of websites to go to for further information.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Melissa Embry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca E. Hirsch's "De-Extinction: The Science of Bringing Lost Species Back to Life" is a book aimed at teen readers that even adults will like. It describes technical terms in clear language with discussions of the de-extinction prospects for multiple species. Also included are discussions of the ethics involved, ways for teens (and adults) to become environmentally involved, a glossary of terms, and bibliography.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it possible to bring back a species from extinction? Has it ever been done? Will it ever be possible? What are the ethical ramifications of doings so? These and many other questions are tackled in clear layman’s terms in this volume. Science lovers should read this book and anybody else who is interested in the natural world.

[Alyx Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend for science lovers or young environmentalists. This book highlights scientific advancements both in cloning practices and in endangered species preservation. Hirsch's book is both accessible and engaging for middle grade readers.

[Anne Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and interesting. Useful for student research projects with good source notes, bibliography, glossary, and index.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating!

[Angel Mouser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really thorough read, I enjoyed the mix of scientific debates and historical information.

[Neha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is really interesting. It tells you more about extinction and about some extinct animals. You also learn about cloning. you learn about the success and failures of cloning. If you are really into animals or extinct species this is the book for you.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Possibilities for use in a science class.

[Michael Driscoll]

The De-Extinction by Rebecca Hirsch provides readers with a scientific nonfiction book which describes how scientists would bring an extinct species back to life. They’d revive animals like bucardos, elephants and sheep, along with many others that are featured in this book. The author Rebecca Hirsch has written many other books about these types of topics. What’s also great about this book is that it has an index, glossary, and additional information about the author. I personally think that readers will look forward into reading this book because of how fun enjoyable it is to read.