Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: At the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, Members adopted Motion 087, establishing a policy framework to guide the use of synthetic biology in relation to conservation (IUCN 2025 ).The policy requires case-by-case, science-based decisionmaking with rigorous risk and benefit assessment, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and transparent governance.It explicitly notes that if these provisions are not met, releases into natural ecosystems should not proceed.This language addresses concerns raised in Motion 133, which had proposed a blanket moratorium on genetically engineering wild species.The ongoing debate on the pros and cons of synthetic biology techniques for conservation was recently summarized by Lenharo ( 2025 ).Moreover, an open letter signed by more than 250 scientists urged rejection of a blanket moratorium ( https:// scienceforbiodiversity.org/ ).Motion 087 absorbs the legitimate caution in these arguments into a case-by-case, risk-informed process rather than a categorical prohibition.A moratorium would have removed potentially vital tools at a moment of accelerating evolutionary, ecological, and environmental risks in our rapidly changing world.By embedding strong precaution within an enabling framework, Motion 087 adopts a prudent path to the application of biotechnology in conservation science (IUCN 2025 ).The resulting IUCN Resolution following from Motion 087 will also have implications for synthetic biology developments more generally, such as in agricultural, industrial, or pest management innovations, which may indirectly affect ecosystems and biodiversity.The debate leading to this outcome was intensely divided, and the proposed moratorium (Motion 133) was rejected by only a single vote, reflecting deep social, cultural, and value-based concerns.These concerns are centered on trust, legitimacy, Indigenous rights, and the acceptability of using biotechnology in nature, and they must remain at the forefront as the conservation community moves from policy to practice.This is essential to ensure decisions are not only scientifically robust but also socially legitimate.
Source: Conservation Letters
DOI: 10.1111/con4.70015
Author: Cock van Oosterhout
Institution: University of East Anglia
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
OpenAlex ID: W7121109699