Conservation Biotechnology

1 Credit · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In this 1-credit course, we will explore how novel biotechnological tools are applied to wildlife conservation, from characterizing genetic variation in at risk populations to resurrecting lost species. We will engage with the primary scientific literature to understand the mechanisms, opportunities, and limitations of these technologies, while critically considering their ethical and ecological implications. We will traverse a continuum of intervention intensity, from more traditional approaches like conservation genomics and assisted gene flow, to intermediate approaches like biobanking and assisted reproductive technologies, to more interventionist strategies like genome engineering, synthetic biology, and de-extinction. By closely annotating readings, engaging in class discussions, and writing short reflections, students will explore how each of these interventions can inform species recovery, enhance adaptive potential, and restore ecosystem functions, while also grappling with their ethical considerations. The course will culminate in a capstone project where students pitch a biotechnological solution to a contemporary conservation challenge and compose a reflective essay that critically examines the ethical dimensions of applying these techniques.