WG4 webinar for scientists, practitioners, managers, and decision-makers on genomic & biotechnological opportunities for conservation

Despite ongoing activities to halt biodiversity loss, we are still losing many species at an alarming rate. Currently the post-2030 targets for CBD are developed and the EU biodiversity strategy discussed, both phrasing ambitious goals and milestones. Conservationists seek to identify tools to improve and solve many of the conservation challenges globally, such as managing small populations or controlling invasive species. At the same time a technological revolution is taking place in the field of molecular biology, granting novel opportunities to screen, manipulate and even edit genomic material. However, a careful case-by-case risk assessment for potential applications is required, and ethical and political aspects need to be considered. While some tools are already well established, others still need to be tested and will only be applicable in the future.