The genetic rescue of Earth’s endangered species | Ryan Phelan

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4.1 • 11.9K Ratings

🗓️ 22 September 2021

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

From a special black-footed ferret to coral that can withstand warming waters, genetic rescue efforts that use genomics and synthetic biology are helping nature thrive. But despite the huge successes of this kind of intervention, conservation innovator Ryan Phelan points out that fear of unintended consequences often stifles innovation -- risking further extinction. She makes the case for embracing the “intended consequences” of genetic tools that have the power to restore Earth’s balance, abundance and biodiversity.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to TED Talks Daily. I'm Elise Hu. Genetic technology. It gives humans incredible power, power to shape the natural world. But how much should we use it? How much should we do? In her 2021 talk at Ted Monterey, biotech entrepreneur Ryan Feelein makes the case for using genetic tech the right way.
0:26.0	Elizabeth Ann, she's a black-footed ferret, America's most endangered animal.
0:33.8	She was cloned using cells from a ferret that lived 33 years ago.
0:39.8	Elizabeth Ann is a new hope for the future of her species,
0:43.2	a chance to actually restore lost genetic diversity.
0:47.2	She was born for this intended consequence.
0:50.8	I've been working in conservation for the last 10 years
0:54.0	with innovative scientists from around the world
0:56.4	to bring biotechnology to wildlife conservation.
1:01.0	We need to solve the escalating threats to biodiversity
1:04.4	from climate change, habitat loss,
1:07.7	fragmented populations, and wildlife diseases.
1:11.5	These are the unintended consequences of the human-dominated time we live in,
1:17.0	a time when we need new tools for the conservation toolbox.
1:21.4	And with genetic rescue,
1:23.2	we can actually help stop more species from crossing the line into extinction.
1:28.9	And the black-footed ferret is a great example.
1:32.0	The black-footed ferret historically ranged
1:35.0	all across the Great Plains of North America,
1:38.0	from Canada to Mexico.
1:40.6	That is until their habitat was converted to ranches and farmland.
1:45.8	By 1981, there was only one colony of ferrets living in Wyoming.
	...

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