Gene Editing Offers Transformative Solution to Saving Endangered Species
NEW ZEALAND, JUL 18 – Gene editing offers a new conservation tool to restore genetic diversity, reduce harmful mutations, and help endangered species adapt, but requires Indigenous community support and cautious implementation.
- On July 18, a Nature Reviews Biodiversity Perspective article published, proposing genome engineering as a tool for biodiversity conservation, supported by an international team of conservation geneticists and biotechnologists.
- Following publication, researchers highlighted that genomic erosion persists despite conservation efforts, exemplified by the pink pigeon’s population rebound from 10 to over 600 in Mauritius.
- They outline three key applications for gene editing in conservation: restoring lost variation, facilitating adaptation, and reducing harmful mutations, detailing three approaches, no attribution.
- Dr. Beth Shapiro said, 'The same technological advances that allow us to introduce genes of mammoths into the genome of an elephant can be harnessed to rescue species teetering on the brink of extinction,' highlighting its potential for conservation, said Dr. Beth Shapiro, Chief Science Officer at Colossal Biosciences.
- The authors stress that genetic interventions must complement, not replace, habitat restoration and traditional conservation actions, emphasizing the need for phased, small-scale trials and long-term monitoring before broader implementation.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Gene editing technology could be used to save species on the brink of extinction
Earth’s biodiversity is in crisis. An imminent “sixth mass extinction” threatens beloved and important wildlife. It also threatens to reduce the amount of genetic diversity – or variation – within species. This variation in genes within a species is crucial for their ability to adapt to changes in the environment or resist diseases. Genetic variation is therefore crucial for species’ long term survival. Traditional conservation efforts – such as…
This genetic breakthrough could help thousands of species cheat extinction
Gene editing may hold the key to rescuing endangered species—not just by preserving them, but by restoring their lost genetic diversity using DNA from museum specimens and related species. Scientists propose a visionary framework that merges biotechnology with traditional conservation, aiming to give struggling populations like Mauritius’ pink pigeon a fighting chance against extinction. From agriculture to de-extinction, these tools are already…
Gene editing offers transformative solution to saving endangered species
Gene editing technologies—such as those used in agriculture and de-extinction projects—can be repurposed to offer what an international team of scientists is calling a transformative solution for restoring genetic diversity and saving endangered species.
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