Synthetic biology and the conservation of biodiversity
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TLDR
This work considers first the differences between the two fields of synthetic biology and conservation, and second the kinds of opportunities and risks that arise.Abstract:
Synthetic biology is a broad and fast-moving field of innovation involving the design and construction of new biological parts, and the redesign of existing, natural biological systems to address real world problems. It has many potential applications that may change human relations to the natural world. Synthetic biology is virtually unknown to the conservation community. Based on a meeting in 2013 that brought together these two communities we consider first the differences between the two fields, and second the kinds of opportunities and risks that arise.read more
Citations
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Against Extinction. The Story of Conservation
TL;DR: Dunmire and Tierney as discussed by the authors described the arrival and impact of plants that the Europeans brought to the New World and the history of these plants and their introduction to the modern world.
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Is It Time for Synthetic Biodiversity Conservation
Antoinette J. Piaggio,Gernot Segelbacher,Philip J. Seddon,Luke Alphey,Luke Alphey,Elizabeth L. Bennett,Robert Carlson,Robert Friedman,Dona Kanavy,Ryan Phelan,Kent H. Redford,Marina Rosales,Lydia Slobodian,Keith A. Wheeler +13 more
TL;DR: It is argued that rapid, large-scale engagement by the conservation community with practitioners of synthetic biology is urgently needed to avoid unintended and deleterious ecological consequences.
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A Bigger Toolbox: Biotechnology in Biodiversity Conservation
TL;DR: In the near future, gene-editing tools may help endangered species cope with change, while gene drives control unwanted species and help wanted ones.
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The value of valuing nature
TL;DR: A series of factors challenge the creation of synergies between ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation, and the potential for win-win outcomes is challenged.
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Genetic mixing for population management: From genetic rescue to provenancing.
TL;DR: It is argued that understanding mechanisms leading to species decline and community impact is a key to successful implementation of these strategies and advocated an approach where short‐ and long‐term strategies are integrated into a decision framework that also considers nongenetic aspects of management.
References
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