Can genetic engineering save an endangered species – or bring back one that is already extinct? Is it safe to figure this out by experimenting in the field?

Join us for episode 9 of TalkLandscape as we explore the world of synthetic biology in conservation.

Synthetic biology is a cutting-edge science that looks at how biological organisms can be modified or created, especially through the use of genetic engineering.

In this episode, we’ll be look at what it’s being used for in conservation, the risks it could pose to ecosystems and biodiversity, and how experts are weighing up its pros and cons in the fight to save nature.

Join us in conversation with Franziska Achterberg, head of policy at Save our Seeds, Stefano Daza Arango, manager of conservation partnerships at the Colossal Foundation, and Maria Julia Oliva, who served as co-chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) working group tasked with developing the first-ever global policy on synthetic biology in relation to nature conservation.

Franziska Achterberg is the head of policy at Save our Seeds. She was previously a Greenpeace campaigner for 13 years, focusing on pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and other topics. Before joining Save Our Seeds in 2024, she spent four years with the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, working on biodiversity issues, including GMOs, forests and oceans. Achterberg recently participated in discussions on synthetic biology at the recent IUCN World Conservation Congress, where she advocated for a moratorium on the release of genetically engineered wild organisms.

Stefano Daza Arango is the manager of conservation partnerships at the Colossal Foundation, the 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of Colossal Biosciences, where he leads a global portfolio of innovative conservation initiatives and partnerships across NGOs, Indigenous communities, academic institutions and government agencies. He works at the intersection of biotechnology and conservation, translating de-extinction–derived tools – including genetic engineering, assisted reproductive technologies and AI – into scalable solutions for keystone species and biodiversity protection.

Maria Julia Oliva served as co-chair of the IUCN Resolution 123 Policy Development Working Group, tasked with developing the IUCN policy on synthetic biology in relation to nature conservation, adopted in 2025. She is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL). She is the director for policy and sector transformation at UEBT Sourcing with Respect, an international non-profit based in the Netherlands. She leads a team of experts working on legal and policy issues relevant to the responsible sourcing of botanicals used in beauty, fragrance and flavors, herbs and spices and other sectors.