New research delves into the public views of gene editing for conservation and the public perception of the pros and cons of this emerging technology.

Researchers around the world are looking into the pros and cons of gene drive for the purpose of conservation. Although there are many potential uses for this new technology, there are some concerns about safety and ethics on a broader scale.

These questions have spurred discussions at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to understand the importance of regulation and ethics in science. One of the leading factors in the use of this technology must be social acceptance. The GBIRd partnership is one group looking to understand not only the potential benefits for conservation but also the costs this technology could have.

The new study published in the Journal of Conservation Biology specifically sought to evaluate the public perception of gene drives and assess the level of social acceptance. Read more about the research and what they found here.