Synthetic Biology and Conservation: Resurrecting Extinct Species and Creating Genetically Modified Organisms

Synthetic biology could just save the world--or at least provide some added benefits to conservation. A new study points out the good that the field could do for saving species and benefitting ecosystems; this includes everything from resurrecting extinct species to creating microorganisms that can clean up waste.

Synthetic biology is a discipline that utilizes chemically synthesized DNA to create organisms that address human needs. Already, the field is growing by leaps and bounds. Scientists are discussing the possibility of bringing back species, such as the woolly mammoth and the dodo, by recovering ancient DNA from frozen or preserved samples. Researchers even created organisms that may be able to produce oil from carbon dioxide. They have also been studying ways to create crops that are more drought resistant.

The new research, which will be discussed at the Synthetic Biology and Conservation Conference convening at Clare College in England on April 9-11, examines exactly what factors need to be considered when using synthetic biology in conservation.  After all, bringing back some species may not be a good idea, and creating some plants could destroy entire natural ecosystems. Despite synthetic biology's potential, though, conservationists haven't utilized the field as much as they could.

"At present, the synthetic biology and conservation communities are largely strangers to one another, even though they both share many of the same concerns and goals," said Kent Redford, lead author of the paper, in a press release. "An open discussion between the two communities is needed to help identify areas of collaboration on a topic that will likely change the relationship of humans with the natural world."

In particular, the researchers outlined five issues that should be discussed. They include the possibilities of recreating extinct species; how synthetic organisms will interact with existing species; what the current definition of "natural" is; the possibility of using synthetic biology to produce natural services for humans, such as pollution control; the use of synthetic life for private benefits, such as applications for industrial processes, agriculture and aquaculture.

Yet while this field holds enormous potential, it has also received quite a bit of criticism--especially when it comes to genetically modified organisms. Corn that is resistant to herbicides and other crops that have been genetically changed have received criticism from anti-GMO groups. Currently, about 90 percent of the corn, soy and cotton grown in the U.S. are genetically modified.

"Our strategies for conserving ecosystems, species and genetic diversity, formulated over the past century, are profoundly challenged by synthetic biology," said co-author Bill Adams in a press release. "The implications of this emerging field must be incorporated into conservation theory and practice if efforts to save biodiversity are to be effective."

The implications could range from changing natural ecosystems to altering the way we produce food. That said, a field that could potentially be used to prevent drought and save polar bears is probably one that's worth investigating.

The study was published in the online journal PLOS Biology.