National Geographic Live

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Mathias Stiller

Evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro examines a fossil discovery.

Beth Shapiro

The great tradition of National Geographic as a doorway to the rest of the world takes a turn, heading deep into the past with this presentation from Dr. Beth Shapiro on “How to Clone a Mammoth.” If you have even the vaguest acquaintance with modern movies it should be clear that cloning anything that's extinct is maybe not such a good idea. But Shapiro, who wrote the book How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction, explores technical, ethical and ecological challenges to bringing extinct species back to life. So it's not exactly a DIY night. Thank goodness. Shapiro will be answering questions after the presentation. Tickets are available at overture.org.

press release:  National Geographic Live, National Geographic’s touring speaker series that brings to life the awe-inspiring and remarkable stories of National Geographic Explorers, and Overture Center for the Arts are proud to announce “How to Clone a Mammoth” with Beth Shapiro is coming to Capitol Theater on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($25-65) are available at overture.org.

Could extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back to life? National Geographic Emerging Explorer Beth Shapiro is one of the scientists investigating this intriguing possibility.

An evolutionary biologist and pioneer in ancient DNA research, Shapiro travels extensively through the Arctic regions of Siberia and North America to collect the bones, teeth and other remains of Ice Age giants like mammoths, saber-toothed cats and giant camels. She extracts DNA from these remains and uses this information to understand how changing climates and increasing human activity have shaped the present-day distribution of species. Her goal is to use this information from the past and, increasingly, genomic tools developed in the present, to save living species from the same fate as so many ancient animals.

Join Shapiro as she explores the technical challenges, ethical considerations and potential benefits of the astonishing and controversial science of de-extinction.

BIO: Dr. Beth Shapiro is a pioneer and global leader in the high-profile field of ancient DNA and a clear voice in the debate over the future of genetic engineering. A Rhodes Scholar, Macarthur “genius” and National Geographic Explorer, Shapiro is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, Director of the UCSC Paleogenomics Lab and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. 

Shapiro travels extensively through the Arctic regions of Siberia and North America, where she collects the bones, teeth and other remains of ice age giants, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats and giant camels. She extracts DNA from these remains and uses this information to understand how changing climates and increasing human activity have shaped the present-day distribution of species. Her goal is to use this information from the past and, increasingly, genomic tools developed in the present, to save living species from the same fate as so many ice age animals.

Shapiro’s research has been published in many top scientific journals, including Science and Nature, and she has written for Popular Science, the Times Higher Education and The Observer. Shapiro’s dynamic and fluid style and ability to present complex scientific ideas in an easy-to-digest manner have made her a highly sought-after to speaker for public and scientific audiences. A regular on BBC, National Geographic, Discovery and others, Shapiro is one of the most prominent popularizers of science in her generation.

Shapiro’s first book, How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction, published by Princeton University Press in 2015, explores the technical, ethical and ecological challenges to bringing extinct species back to life. How to Clone a Mammoth won the 2016 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, the 2016 PROSE Award in Popular Science & Popular Mathematics and the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Science. It was shortlisted for the 2016 Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science and the 2016 LA Times Book Prize in Science & Technology. Her second book, Wild(ish) Life: Our Long History of Messing with Nature, was published by Basic Books in 2020. 

MEET THE ARTIST: Stay after the show for a brief, informal Q&A with the artist.

Shapiro’s engaging, one-of-a-kind presentation is part of National Geographic Live’s amazing collection of events happening throughout the United States and abroad. National Geographic’s broad roster of talent, including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers and adventurers, share their behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage.

Overture’s National Geographic Live series is sponsored by Exact Sciences. Overture is grateful for this community support that helps make these experiences possible.

For more information on National Geographic Live and other National Geographic events, please visit nationalgeographic.com/events.

OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS in Madison, Wis., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and four galleries where national and international touring artists, nine resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in nearly 700,000 educational and artistic experiences each year. With the vision to provide “Extraordinary Experiences for All,” Overture’s mission is to support and elevate our community’s creative culture, economy and quality of life through the arts. overture.org