One potential solution to the various ecosystem crises we face is to genetically engineer organisms better to survive in a changing climate. Synthetic biology offers the tools to attempt this, by introducing various genetic modifications to help organisms avoid extinction in their rapidly degrading environments. But how does an intervention like genetic modification fit with the conservation science goals of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and wilderness? Is it time to rethink those goals, given advances in genetic technologies like synthetic biology, and the increasing urgency of extinctions due to environmental pressures?

Join host Distinguished Professor Wendy Rogers and guest Dr Chris Lean as they investigate how the goals of conservation can be furthered by synthetic biology.

This podcast features Chris’ recently published paper, Synthetic Biology and the Goals of Conservation, published open access in Ethics, Policy and Environment, https://doi.org/10.1080/21550085.2023.2298646