OVERVIEW

Gene drive is a new and very powerful biotechnology that scientists hope will help solve some of the biggest biodiversity and conservation challenges facing society. Gene drive has the potential to change entire wild species. This power is what makes it so attractive and so controversial. UK scientists have proposed gene drive as a management tool to control grey squirrels in the UK. Grey squirrels are popular wild mammals in the UK, but they are labelled an invasive species. We draw on our social science research to show you the complexity of the problem of grey squirrel control and invite you to think about whether scientists should develop gene drive squirrels or not.

This event is part of the UKRI Festival of social science and aims to kick-start a public discussion about the potential use of genetic engineering technologies to control wild species.

The event consists of a 20-minute film screening, audience discussion with filmmakers and stakeholders, and informal drinks.

View the trailer

SPEAKER SCHEDULE

Chair

Dr Rob Smith, University of Edinburgh

Panellists

Professor Sarah Hartley, University of Exeter

Tom Law, Independent film maker

Charles Dutton, Woodland Management

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Professor Sarah Hartley is Professor of Technology Governance at the University of Exeter. She is a qualitative social scientist studying efforts to open up governance to new actors through case studies involving global health, sustainable agriculture and conservation. Current research explores the governance of gene drive technology and has she has several projects funded by the British Academy and Wellcome exploring collaboration in gene drive development and risk governance in Africa, North America, Australia and Europe.

Tom Law is an independent video maker with 25 years' experience working in wide-ranging forms of television. Tom started his career at Channel 4 and became an award winning network producer before moving to Sydney where he worked in production on celebrated documentaries and prime time network shows. Tom is now based in Exeter and works internationally with agencies, corporate clients and academics to develop, create and deliver engaging video in all its forms.

Dr Rob Smith is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Rob examines the social, political and policy dimensions of the life sciences. He focuses particularly on how science and technology are made and governed, and how they might be re-made and governed in ways that are more democratic or environmentally beneficial than they are currently.

Charles Dutton is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters, with 40 years of experience in practicing woodland management. Charles is also a Trustee and Director of the European Squirrel Initiative, an organisation advocating the protection of red squirrels through the control of grey squirrels.

‘Should we create gene drive grey squirrels?’