How can we restore what has already been lost?
This question, central to conservation biology, is beginning to receive a new answer: genomic engineering applied to biodiversity.
A recent article published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity proposes incorporating gene editing into nature conservation strategies. According to the authors, led by researchers from the University of East Anglia and Colossal Biosciences, biotechnology can offer unprecedented tools to restore the genetic diversity of threatened species and increase their ability to adapt to a changing planet.
From protection to genetic restoration
Today, biodiversity conservation relies on practices such as:
- Protection of natural habitats;
- Captive breeding programs;
- Control of invasive species;
- Reintroduction of species in recovered areas.
These actions – called “first aid” by the authors – are effective in preventing immediate extinctions. However, they fail to restore what has already been lost within the species’ own DNA: their genetic diversity, which is essential for adapting to new threats such as climate change, disease and environmental degradation.
This is where what the authors call the “second bailout” comes in: genomic engineering as a tool for repairing evolutionary potential.
What is genomic erosion?
Genomic erosion is the progressive loss of genetic diversity in a population. This can occur for various reasons, such as
- Drastic reduction in the number of individuals (population bottleneck);
- Geographical isolation, which prevents the exchange of genes between populations;
- Accumulation of deleterious mutations over generations;
- And above all, inbreeding – when related individuals reproduce with each other.
In some cases, an endangered species can recover numerically by increasing its population. This is called demographic success. However, even with more individuals, genetic diversity can remain low – leaving the species vulnerable to new environmental pressures.
A practical example: if a population of a thousand individuals descends from just five original survivors, they will have almost the same genes. In other words, they will be many, but genetically similar – and with a reduced ability to respond to environmental challenges, such as diseases.
What can genetic engineering do?
With tools such as genome editing (e.g. CRISPR), assisted reproduction, comparative genomics and biobanks, it is possible:
Reintroducing lost adaptive genetic variants from genetic material preserved in museums, collections and frozen samples;
Reduce the deleterious genetic load by eliminating harmful mutations that have accumulated through inbreeding;
Transfer resistance or adaptation genes between populations or related species, through genomic engineering or controlled crosses;
Making populations more resilient to new environmental challenges, such as pathogens, droughts, extreme heat or pollution.
These strategies represent a highly promising technical-scientific boost for conservation, especially on a planet where biodiversity loss is advancing faster than traditional solutions can contain it.
Ethics, risk and governance
The introduction of biotechnologies in conservation is not without controversy. The article emphasizes the need to:
- Rigorous environmental risk assessments;
- Participation of local communities and traditional peoples;
- Scientific transparency and communication with the public;
- Equity in access to technologies and the benefits of their application.
In other words: more than just a technical issue, this is a challenge of governance, ethics and intersectoral dialog.
Bio Bureau’s experience
At Bio Bureau, we have already explored this frontier between genetic innovation and conservation in projects such as the biotechnological control of the golden mussel, one of the most damaging invasive species in Brazil. Our aim with this project is to develop a genetically modified strain that, by reproducing with wild populations, spreads infertility and leads invasive populations to collapse, using a gene drive mechanism with CRISPR/Cas9.
This is a concrete example of how biotechnology can be used to restore ecological balance and protect ecosystems from the negative impacts caused by biological invasions.
A new chapter for conservation
The message of the Nature Reviews article is clear: there is no more time for dichotomies between “technology” and “nature”. Tackling the biodiversity crisis will require a combination of solutions:
- Traditional ecological knowledge;
- Cutting-edge biotechnological tools;
- Ethical and inclusive governance.
Genomic engineering is no substitute for traditional conservation, but it could be the key to making it viable in the long term, given the rapid environmental changes we are experiencing.
📚 Full reference:
Van Oosterhout, C. et al. (2025). Genome engineering in biodiversity conservation and restoration. Nature Reviews Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44358-025-00065-6
Did you like the topic?
Do you want to understand how technologies such as eDNA, genomics and gene editing can strengthen your organization’s environmental commitments?
📩 Talk to our technical team. Bio Bureau is at the forefront of biodiversity-tech in Brazil.