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Should Extinct Animals Stay Extinct? (Encore)

October 16, 2026 · 1 h 39 min

Show notes

Once a sci-fi fantasy explored in films like “Jurassic Park,” some biological and technological breakthroughs indicate that reviving extinct creatures could become a reality. Proponents argue that the benefits include correcting mistakes of the past by bringing back extinct ecosystems and organisms. Others argue it's not ethical or even feasible. Now we debate: Should humans bring extinct creatures back to life? 

Arguing YES:  

Dr. Ross MacPhee, Curator of the Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History 

Dr. Lynn J. Rothschild, Evolutionary Biologist & Astrobiologist 

Arguing NO:  

Stewart Brand, Co-Founder of Revive & Restore & Founder of Whole Earth Catalog 

Dr. George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard and MIT & Founder of the Personal Genome Project 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

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