Gene Drives: Solution or Problem? Sacred or Synthetic?

gene-drives-imageEvents during IUCN World Conservation Congress

September 1-10, 2016 in Oahu, Hawai’i

Gene drives are a new biotechnology development that allows humans the unprecedented capability to profoundly alter or even drive to extinction entire populations or even whole species of organisms. Are they a valued tool for conservation or are they more likely to fail, make matters worse, fall into the hands of those who seek profit-making at all cost, or be used for military applications? Join us for a critical perspective on gene drives.

Read our press release, published 1st September: Genetic “extinction” technology rejected by international group of scientists, conservationists and environmental advocates

Public events

September 5th, 8:30-10:30am,
Room 311-14
September 6th, 6:00pm, Church of the Crossroads,
1212 University Avenue
Knowledge Café session 10430: Will Synthetic Biology Deliver on Conservation Goals and the Bioeconomy? Gene Drives: Who Decides for Hawai’i? Panel discussion and supper with Hokulei Lindsey, Jim Thomas (ETC Group) and Dana Perls (Friends of the Earth).
Attend in person at the IUCN Congress. Unfortunately due to technical difficulties a livestream of this event will not be available Watch a recording of the event here.

 

Resources and further information

reckless-drivingReckless Driving: Gene Drives and the End of Nature: New briefing on gene drives, released by the Civil Society Working Group on Gene Drives
gene-drives-letterA Call For Conservation with Conscience: No Place For Gene Drives in Conservation. A letter initiated by the Civil Society Working Group on Gene Drives, signed by Dr. David Suzuki, Dr. Fritjof Capra, Dr. Angelika Hilbeck, Indian environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva, organic pioneer and biologist Nell Newman, and many more. Email genedrives@synbiowatch.org to add your name to the growing list of individuals and organizations.
mosquitoThe National Academies’ Gene Drive study has ignored important and obvious issues: Article in the Guardian by Jim Thomas, Programme Director, ETC Group
Vandana-Shiva_b_1Biodiversity, GMOs, Gene Drives and the Militarised Mind: by Dr Vandana Shiva
What are gene drives? A Risk Bites guide

Contact the Civil Society Working Group on Gene Drives

The Civil Society Working Group on Gene Drives includes Biofuelwatch, Econexus, ETC Group, Friends of the Earth US, Hawai’i SEED, Navdanya and independent author and lawyer Claire Hope Cummings, M.A., J.D. Write to us at genedrives@synbiowatch.org.


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