Is there a future for genome-editing technologies in conservation?

Authors

J. A. Johnson, University of North Texas, DentonFollow
R. Altwegg, University of Cape Town
D. M. Evans, Newcastle University
J. G. Ewen, Zoological Society of London
I. J. Gordon, James Cook University
N. Pettorelli, Zoological Society of London
J. K. Young, Utah State UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Animal Conservation 19 (2016) 97–101

Comments

US government work

Abstract

In a recent review, Pimm et al. (2015) highlight emerging technologies in protecting biodiversity. While their list is noteworthy, the authors’ exclusion of innovations in genomic research, with the exception of single-species DNA barcoding methods, was surprising given recent advances in genome-editing technology and its potential application to conservation. Taylor & Gemmell (2016) address that deficiency in a subsequent commentary identifying three avenues where emerging genomic technologies have great potential for increasing our ability to conserve biodiversity. Those areas include the use of next-generation sequencing technologies and methods such as RADseq for monitoring genetic diversity, effective population size, and introgression (Andrews et al., 2016); the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) and metabarcoding approaches to map species occurrence and interaction networks (Evans et al., 2016); and the use of genomic data and gene-editing technology to identify and alter regions of the genome that may impact fitness and limit survival in endangered taxa (Taylor & Gemmell, 2016). Here, we extend that the theme with additional discussion on how genome-editing technologies can benefit the conservation of threatened and endangered species.