Intended consequences statement

As the biodiversity crisis accelerates, stakes are higher for threatened plants and animals. Rebuilding health of our planet will require addressing underlying threats at many scales, including habitat loss climate change. Conservation interventions such as protection, management, restoration, predator control, translocation, genetic rescue, biological control have potential to help or endangered species avert extinction. These existing, well-tested methods can be complemented augmented by more frequent faster adoption new technologies, powerful tools. In addition, synthetic biology might offer solutions currently intractable conservation problems. We believe that needs bold clear-eyed in this moment great urgency. Proposed efforts mitigate often raise concerns about potentially harmful unintended consequences. For some highly documented strategies based on principles, translocations, restoration natural fire regimes, evidence date suggests careful planning produces intended consequences while avoiding adverse example, better identification mitigation risks has resulted no severe, negative, translocations releases over last 30 years United States (Novak et al., 2021). This progress, especially after well-publicized from early history field, been made improving intervention techniques, scientific understanding dynamic interactions complex ecosystems, stakeholder engagement. The substantial should encourage us thoughtfully pursue novel approaches technology advances, focusing future we want, rather than being daunted fear. June 2020, Revive & Restore convened a group 57 conservationists, wildlife biologists, specialists, geneticists, ethicists, social scientists propose framework conservation, focused There was broad consensus developing employing what considered controversial technologies commitment responsible decision-making respects diversity perspectives, interests, values among different stakeholders. To working confidently with emerging tools increases inclusivity embraces innovation. initial points agreement, along an evolving code practice, guide inspire confidence ability design achieve findings conclusions article those author(s) do not necessarily represent views of: U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, CSIRO, NatureScot, Imperial College London, San Diego Zoo Global, National Invasive Species Council. workshop inspired statement supported Restore, University Wisconsin-Madison, Nature Conservancy California, Gerry Ohrstrom, Amy Mark Tercek. would like thank editor anonymous reviewer who read versions gave constructive feedback improved statement. authors conflict interest declare. All contributed given final approval version published. No data were collected article.