Sci fight is a quarterly Science Comedy Debate where scientists and comedians come together to debate serious issues in a ridiculous manner.

Pre-history is the future! De-extinction; bringing creatures back from extinction is becoming a scientific reality. With the advent of CRISPR technology; scientists, with a sample of DNA, some genome sequencing and a strong cup of coffee may very well be able to bring animals from the past back to life.

As the Siberian permafrost thaws like a curry in the microwave biotechpreneurs wax lyrical on the climate benefits of woolly mammoths roaming the arctic tundra. Something about them stomping down the ice to stop it thawing. Mammoths need jobs too.

By bringing back extinct species we could create technologies that could have all sorts of unforeseen benefits. Just like the space race gave us memory foam and the ear thermometer, maybe the de-extinction project will give us something even more useful; like a solution to the housing crisis, or a way to dissolve a lime scooter. Maybe.

But with plenty of animals here right now on the brink of disappearing, is zombie megafauna our number one priority? And is the world ready for these creatures to return? If we thought cane toads were annoying we’ll soon see what a mammoth can do to a golf course.

Come to Howler to witness some very alive scientists and comedians tackling this existential enigma.