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Illustration of animals that existed during the Ediacaran period (around 635 to 542 million years ago). This period at the end of the Proterozoic era was characterised by the emergence of the first multicellular animals. These were bottom-dwelling marine animals and included Swartpuntia (green, lower left), Cloudina (with stacked rings and tentacles, right), the frond-like Charnia (centre, red and blue), and Charniodiscus (background, blue-green).

Otherlands review: A fascinating journey through Earth's history

19 January 2022

In Otherlands, palaeobiologist Thomas Halliday uses a mix of science and imagination to show us the weird and wonderful landscapes and life forms of the early Earth
Anti-Monsanto/GMO Protest, New York, 25 May 2013 - Hundreds of thousands across the US joined the worldwide rally against biotech giant Monsanto and genetically engineered crops. It comes shortly after the Senate turned down a bill that would allow states to require the labeling of GM foods. Photo: Tony Savino (Photo by Tony Savino/Corbis via Getty Images)

Life As We Made It review: Should we go all in on gene-editing tech?

3 November 2021

Beth Shapiro's latest book explores how humans have affected the planet so far and what we might do to the animals and plants living on it in the future
How opium, caffeine and mescaline shaped the world – and got us hooked

How opium, caffeine and mescaline shaped the world – and got us hooked

21 July 2021

Michael Pollan's This is Your Mind on Plants explains how the psychoactive plants that produce opium, caffeine and mescaline fuelled innovation, sedatives and even the expansion of the transatlantic slave trade

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