In a remote research station, the last two winged mice on Earth defy the very principles of natural selection.
Imagine being the scientist tasked with saving the very last of a species, only to discover that the creatures you're trying to preserve seem determined to vanish. This is the haunting premise of Tatsuaki Ishiguro's groundbreaking short story, "It is with the Deepest Sincerity that I Offer Prayers..." where molecular biologists encounter the final two members of a rare species of winged mouse 1 .
The story "subverts the teleology of species-life on which conservation models depend," forcing us to question whether our efforts to preserve nature might be based on flawed human-centered values rather than ecological reality 1 .
Set against the backdrop of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island with its history of Indigenous Ainu communities and colonization, Ishiguro's story does more than just tell a tale—it challenges fundamental assumptions about conservation, extinction, and humanity's role in determining what gets saved 1 . In an age of unprecedented biodiversity loss, this seemingly obscure work of fiction offers profound insights into the real-world dilemmas faced by scientists today.
To appreciate the depth of Ishiguro's story, we must first understand the scientific concepts it explores. The field of anthropogenic biology—how human activities reshape organic matter and evolutionary pathways—forms the story's foundation 1 .
Recent scientific research has revealed surprising nuances in our understanding of extinction patterns:
While we often focus on extinctions, human activities also drive evolutionary innovation and new species formation through:
The heart of Ishiguro's story revolves around the meticulous scientific investigation of the winged mouse. Though fictional, the research methods mirror real-world conservation biology, creating a compelling thought experiment about the nature of extinction itself.
Initial studies focus on the mice's unique physical characteristics, including their wing structure and unusual organ systems 9 .
Researchers document the mice's mysterious communication methods and social behaviors 9 .
Attempts to breed the last pair yield bizarre results, including glowing phenomena and tear production 9 .
Examination at the molecular level reveals the creatures are headed toward extinction on every biological level 9 .
| Biological System | Observed Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Reproductive System | Paired deaths during mating attempts |
| Communication Methods | Mysterious non-vocal interaction |
| Physical Properties | Glowing phenomena and tear production |
| Genetic Composition | Headed toward extinction at all levels |
| Time Period | Primary Driver |
|---|---|
| Past Century | Invasive Species |
| Present Day | Habitat Destruction |
| Future Projected | Climate Change + Habitat Loss |
The scientists discover that "everything about the winged mouse, on the genetic level, the cellular level, the specimen level, was headed toward extinction" 9 . This directed, comprehensive movement toward disappearance challenges conventional evolutionary theory, where traits are selected for survival advantage, not systematic self-elimination.
Even more disturbing is Dr. Akedera's growing suspicion that the mice might actually have the potential to live for hundreds of years, choosing death at this specific moment in time—a behavior that might hint at "a larger, looming problem of extinction as the trajectory for all life on Earth" 9 .
The research described in Ishiguro's story relies on both concrete scientific tools and conceptual frameworks that mirror those used in actual conservation biology:
Understanding genetic diversity and vulnerabilities through DNA sequencing of endangered species.
Documenting species-specific behaviors and social structures through field studies.
Preventing immediate extinction through programs like the California condor recovery.
Identifying critical preservation zones through satellite monitoring of deforestation.
Incorporating traditional ecological knowledge like Ainu community insights in Hokkaido.
Tracking species numbers and health indicators over time to assess conservation success.
| Intervention Level | Tools & Methods | Ethical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic | Captive breeding, genetic banking | How much should we alter genetics? |
| Habitat | Protected areas, indigenous land management | Whose land gets protected? |
| Policy | International agreements, trade regulations | Balancing human needs vs. species protection |
Ishiguro's story represents what cultural theorists might call "strained encounters"—moments where scientific certainty meets biological mystery 1 . These encounters reveal the limitations of our conservation models, particularly what scholar Krithika Srinivasan identifies as the problematic human-centered values of well-being and sexual reproduction that underpin many wildlife conservation efforts 1 .
These questions have tangible implications. As one research paper notes, 43% of all freshwater mammal species are currently classified as threatened, with half experiencing population declines 5 . The tools to save them exist—protected areas, indigenous land management, and freshwater habitat conservation have proven effective 5 —but the philosophical framework for deciding which species deserve these resources remains contested.
Tatsuaki Ishiguro's "It is with the Deepest Sincerity that I Offer Prayers..." offers more than literary intrigue—it provides a framework for rethinking our relationship with extinction and preservation. By presenting scientists confronted with a species that defies their conservation models, the story holds up a mirror to our own efforts to control and manage nature.
The most powerful insight from both the story and contemporary conservation science is that rigorous science and humility must walk together. As University of Arizona researcher Kristen Saban emphasizes about extinction research, "it's important that we talk about it with accuracy, that our science is rigorous in how we're able to detail these losses and prevent future ones" 6 .
While the winged mice of Ishiguro's story are fictional, the questions they raise are urgently real. In an era of accelerating environmental change, we must continually examine what we're preserving, why we're preserving it, and whether our well-intentioned interventions align with the deeper rhythms of the natural world we're trying to protect.
The story leaves us with Dr. Akedera's disturbing wonderment: "Might not the principle of natural selection close the circle by selecting against all living things in the end?" 9 It's a question that every conservation biologist, policy maker, and environmentally conscious citizen must grapple with as we shape the future of life on Earth.