Novel Natures? Nature conservation and emerging high impact (bio-)technology

Nature conservation is facing major challenges. Biodiversity loss and climate change will alter ecosystems in ways that are difficult to predict. At the same time, advances in computing, genomics and synthetic biology offer new knowledge and tools for conservation biology. Together, these developments challenge traditional nature conservation strategies. This project focuses on engineered gene drives as an example of an emerging biotechnology which could be employed for nature conservation purposes. Engineered gene drives could greatly expand the spatial and temporal reach of genetic modification techniques, and thus provide new possibilities for intentional human influence over wild animals and ecosystems. Academic debate about nature conservation biotechnologies is a nexus where scientific and normative notions about human interactions with their natural environments and other living beings are negotiated. NONA explores how connections between ontological, epistemological and normative ideas are drawn in these debates. The aim is to achieve greater conceptual and argumentative clarity within this highly complex and contentious discussion. NONA will address two objectives: 1) to analyze ideas of nature in areas of molecular biology and ecology, which are relevant for the development and evaluation of gene drives; and 2) to analyze current debates in the environmental humanities about the objects, strategies and aims of nature conservation and to develop a conceptual framework for the normative evaluation of gene drives for conservation purposes.This requires that I gain further competences in the areas of environmental and technology philosophy and the history and philosophy of the life sciences. A further aim of the project is to foster close collaborations with researchers in the natural sciences, conservation practitioners and policy makers. The project has practical implications for international nature conservation and biotechnology governance.