Technology
Britt Wray wrote a book about de-extinction, or should that be ‘necrofauna’? We discuss what de-extinction means and if it’s even possible to bring back an extinct species. Either way, the tools researchers are developing, such as CRISPR-Cas9, are heralding a new era of synthetic biology, where we can manipulate nature towards our own needs. The question is: should we? We get into the nature of technological progress in general, examining the mindsets of the researchers chasing their dreams (and funding) and what it means that humans want to ‘undo’ our mistakes by using technology. Creative Machines is recorded live and produced by David Angell at Giant Sound Toronto.Britt Wray recently completed a PhD in science communication at the University of Copenhagen, where she’s also been hosting TEDx (Britt’s also given a TED Talk or two). Britt is the host of the BBC podcast Tomorrow’s World and has also hosted Quirks and Quarks for the CBC. Her book, Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction, was published in 2017 by Greystone Books and the David Suzuki Institute. The foreword is by pre-eminent gene-editing expert George Church.Visit brittwray.com to learn more about Britt and watch her talks. Britt’s on instagram (@britt_wray) and twitter @brittwray.Visit us at machinespodcast.com. If you have questions, are interested in being on Creative Machines or know someone who should be, email us at machinespodcast@gmail.com. FInd us on instagram and twitter @machinespodcast.