Torill Kornfeldt
(2016), The Re-origin of Species, Cntxt, pp. 236
Swedish science journalist Torill Kornfeldt introduces
the idea of ‘de-extinction’, a process by which biological research attempts to
re-introduce a version of extinct species as a method of conservation. Using
preserved genetic material, there are scientific communities in different parts
of the world that are trying to ‘rewild’ and ‘repopulate’ the lost species. This
nostalgia for the lost world is associated with a vision of the future that raises
ethical, moral, philosophical and scientific questions peculiar to the epoch we
live in - the Anthropocene.
Fundamentally, rewilding changes the relationship
between humans and nature. The species that get picked to have another go in
this planet are the charismatic species that humans adore (beginning with
Dinosaurs!). Furthermore, repopulation should happen in large numbers for
species to thrive. The new species must be morphologically similar and perform
the same ecological function. There is also the question of suffering of the
animals who are being experimented upon as part of a concerted human vision. Of
course, these questions come up only after we have successfully overcome the
technical difficulties in genetic engineering.
Even though it appears as a story straight from
scientific fiction, it was fascinating to understand the conviction and the
decades of effort some of these projects have gone through. The age of the
Anthropocene throws up many challenges and mass extinction is one of them.
There are many ecological movements and genetic engineering technology that have
come about to defend the planet. The de-extinction project - edgy, extreme and
emotionally charged - is one of them.
This book is an English translation of the original
Swedish version and there are a few bumps in editing. However, that does not
really deter you from the flow of the story-telling. Kornfeldt uses the lively
first-person narrative to bring out these stories and that is a great delight!
Go for it!
