Genetic engineering in conservation


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Access through your institution Buy or subscribe Species bearing genetically engineered adaptive variants that are intended to save them from extinction might differ in important respects


from the original species designated for protection — with unpredictable ecological consequences (see M. A. Thomas _et al_. _Nature_ 501, 485–486; 2013). Introducing adaptive variants by


genetic engineering might work for some long-lived plants in which disease resistance is primarily due to a single gene (J. M. Adams _et al_. _Conserv. Biol._ 16, 874–879; 2002), and for


economically important traits in agricultural crops grown in controlled environments. In wild endangered species, however, identifying 'missing' adaptive single-gene variants and


increasing their frequency without causing negative side effects is almost certain to prove impossible. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS


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institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Arizona State University, Tempe, USA Philip W. Hedrick * University of


Montana, Missoula, USA Fred W. Allendorf * National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, Washington, USA Robin S. Waples Authors * Philip W. Hedrick View author publications You can also


search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Fred W. Allendorf View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Robin S. Waples View author


publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to Philip W. Hedrick. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS


ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Hedrick, P., Allendorf, F. & Waples, R. Genetic engineering in conservation. _Nature_ 502, 303 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/502303b Download citation *


Published: 16 October 2013 * Issue Date: 17 October 2013 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/502303b SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:


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