A virtual roundtable featuring leading scientists is scheduled for September 25 to discuss the far-reaching implications of a proposed moratorium on genetically engineering wild species and modified microbiome communities.
The moratorium is set to be considered at the 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in October.
The event will bring together experts from various fields, including conservation, health, and agriculture, to examine the potential consequences of such a ban.
The discussion will go beyond the immediate impact on ecosystems to explore how the moratorium could affect the development of solutions for persistent global health challenges like malaria and food security.
The roundtable will feature a diverse group of speakers, including Dr. Susan Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society, who will address the conservation perspective; Dr. Dickson Wilson of the Ifakara Health Institute, who will speak on health implications; and Dr. Leena Tripathi of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, who will focus on agriculture.
Prof Claudia Emerson from McMaster University will provide insights on the ethical and policy dimensions of the issue.
The event will be moderated by Dr. Jérémy Bouyer, an expert in vector ecology.
According to the organisers, synthetic biology is a groundbreaking field that has already shown promise in conservation and public health. Targeted genetic interventions could, for example, be used to suppress populations of malaria-carrying mosquitoes or develop disease-resistant crops.
More than 200 individuals from institutions worldwide have already signed an open letter in opposition to the proposed moratorium, arguing that a ban would halt crucial research that could save lives and protect ecosystems.
The roundtable aims to highlight that while research is needed to assess the risks and benefits of each synthetic biology application, a moratorium would be an act of inaction at a time when bold, transformative solutions are urgently required to address the unprecedented decline in biodiversity.
