Synthetic biology creates both significant risks and significant opportunities for nature conservation.

This webinar discussed the IUCN process for developing a policy on synthetic biology in relation to nature conservation. An interesting part of that work was the groundbreaking creation of a Citizens’ Assembly to ensure that the formal policy development process receives input from a genuinely representative cross-section of the IUCN Membership. IUCN members Parks Victoria and the University of Queensland were randomly selected from the membership base to contribute.

Panellists included:

• Jessica Reid – District Manager from Parks Victoria and Citizens Assembly participant.

• Dr Stuart Kininmonth - Heron Island Research Station Manager, University of Queensland and Citizens Assembly Participant

• Peter Cochrane - IUCN Vice President and part of the Council Programme and Policy Committee Resolution 123 Working Group

• Jo Hopkins - ACIUCN Commissions Liaison and Co-Chair IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Health and Wellbeing Specialist Group.

View the Webinar recording:

For further information on synthetic biology see:

IUCN issues brief: Synthetic biology and its implications for biodiversity conservation

IUCN Resolution: Towards the development of a policy on Synthetic Biology in relation to Nature Conservation