Muse: The magazine of science, culture, and smart laughs for kids and children

Trial in Absentia

In the 40th century, the most intellectually advanced species in the galaxy initiates a project to bring back as many extinct species as possible. They have already returned hundreds of species to life after careful evaluation by the Committee for the Revivification of Extinct Species (CaRES). The purpose of the committee is to evaluate whether each species meets just one criterion: “There must be no overwhelming, compelling evidence that the species should not be revived.” Here is an excerpt from the transcript of the meeting where members debate the revivification of an extinct species: humans.

Next on the list. The discussion is open.

Humans are interesting for all the reasons we cited during our chimpanzee review. In

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