Target 4: Threatened species and the genetic diversity
Elements to be replaced
- “Active” management should be “effective” management
Effective means “that which works, produces results” while active implies one does something, but it is not defined what
Elements that should be part of the target
- In situ
Conservation in the areas where species naturally grow / live is the most natural and safe way of conservation. Many species need their ecosystems, surrounding and / or upbringing in order to function well. This is also important for IPLCs and smallholder farmers developing and conserving agricultural biodiversity and holding in situ seed banks
- Community-based customary sustainable use (CSU), law, management, and monitoring
CSU is Convention text (article 10c), and has its own Plan of Action
Elements that should NOT be part of the target
- Restoration of genetically depleted populations - Genetic restoration (de-extinction)
Genetic restoration refers to the use of genetic engineering technologies, e.g., gene drives, to “restore” populations of animals that are under threat of extinction. Gene drives are generally proposed to eliminate species. However, gene drives are also being proposed to change the genetic expression in a species, for the purported goal of reversing an extinction trend. There are extensive scientific concerns about both engineering animals and using gene drive technologies and the unintended and permanent consequences for wild species and ecosystems.
The Convention’s aim should be to protect biodiversity, including at the genomic level.