Editing them out: The end for pests? | Wellington

Prestigious Speakers 
Editing Our Genes: Promises and Pitfalls
Once a science fiction fantasy, the power to engineer DNA is now within reach. With that power comes complex and sometimes contentious questions about what can, and what should, be done to change ourselves and the world around us. Using a new genome editing technique, known as CRISPR/Cas9, scientists are exploring deletion, alteration, and addition of genes to a huge variety of organisms, from yeast to kumara, and from mosquitoes to dairy cattle. Perhaps most promising, but also most controversial, are the possible uses of the technology in humans.

Host Kim Hill  is joined by bioethicist Josephine Johnston and a panel of experts to explore the implications of gene editing technologies for New Zealand.

Editing them out: The end for pests?

What will the risks and benefits be if gene editing technologies are engaged as a dominant means for pest control. For example, are there greater ramifications in developing gene drives to control and eradicate pests such as introduced wasps or invasive exotic weeds?

Pests panel:

Dr Andrea Byrom
Director, NZ's Biological Heritage National Science Challenge

Kevin Hackwell
Group Manager Campaigns and Advocacy, Forest and Bird  

Jan Hania
Environment director, Next Foundation 

Josephine Johnston
Director of Research and Research scholar, The Hastings Center

Kim Hill
Host and Broadcaster, RNZ National

Presented in partnership with the David and Genevieve Becroft Foundation, The University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington and RNZ National. 

PUBLIC EVENT – If available, door sales will be only $30, but best to book your ticket to guarantee your seat(s).

Views expressed at this event may not reflect those of Royal Society Te Apārangi.