Gene Editing: A Next Generation Tool for Invasive Species Management?
Sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute and the U.S. Invasive Species Council this webinar explores the advances in gene editing technologies and how they might be used for invasive species management.
Biotechnology is a transformative technology, giving rise to a range of new products and applications, including for invasive species management. New developments in gene editing, such as CRISPR-Cas, allow us to easily rewrite sections of an organism’s DNA in a way that promotes the spread of maladaptive traits through a population. These “gene drives” hold promise as a method for controlling or even eradicating major invasive species, such as herbicide-resistant weeds, disease-vectoring mosquitoes, rats on islands, and Asian carps. However, this powerful technology also raises important questions about ethical ramifications, risk management, and appropriate application and regulation.
This webinar will convene experts to introduce this emerging technology and its potential application to the control of invasive species and to discuss the difficult questions on how to navigate the deployment of this new tool.
To watch the webinar and download the presentation slides please visit: http://www.eli.org/events/gene-editing-next-generation-tool-invasive-species-management
Panelists:
- Fred Gould, North Carolina State University
- Karl Campbell and Greg Howald, Island Conservation
- Todd Kuiken, Woodrow Wilson Center
Moderator: Stas Burgiel, National Invasive Species Council Secretariat
About the Author
Todd Kuiken
Science and Technology Innovation Program
The Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) serves as the bridge between technologists, policymakers, industry, and global stakeholders. Read more
