Side Event

Synthetic Biology and Potential Impacts on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

Organizer
Friends of the Earth U.S.

Date and Time
2 May 2012 13:15 - 14:45

Meeting
Sixteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

COP 10’s request for SBSTTA to provide guidance and clarity on synthetic biology’s impact on biodiversity provides a unique opportunity to assess the risks of this emerging technology before many of the potential harms are actualized. From the creation of novel invasive species, synthetic genetic contamination, and requiring major shifts in land-use change, synthetic biology poses numerous challenges to the preservation of biodiversity and livelihoods that must be addressed before this field fully develops. This side event will provide an overview of synthetic biology technologies that are being used and an opportunity to discuss their implications for biodiversity and its sustainable use as is being discussed as a New and Emerging Issue.