Item - 2025.ZB14.2

Tracking Status

This item was considered by the Toronto Zoo on February 28, 2025. The Committee received the item for information only. No further action will be taken on this item.

ZB14.2 - Synthetic Biology: Conservation's Friend or Foe?

Decision Type:: Presentation

Status:: Received

Wards:: All

Board Decision

The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo received the presentation for information.

Decision Advice and Other Information

Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Senior Director, Wildlife and Science, Toronto Zoo gave a presentation on Synthetic Biology: Conservation's Friend or Foe.

Summary

Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco will provide a PowerPoint Presentation on the recent advancements in genome-based technologies and the promising solutions they may offer for conservation. However, they may also carry risks of ecological disruption and other unintended consequences. Your Toronto Zoo's conservation science team is working to better understand whether the growing interest in generating charismatic genetically modified organisms, like the woolly mammoth, is a valuable pursuit or an unnecessary distraction.

Background Information

(February 28, 2025) Presentation from Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco Senior Director, Wildlife Science, Toronto Zoo on Synthetic Biology: Conservation's Friend or Foe?
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-253455.pdf

Communications

(February 27, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (ZB.New.ZB14.2)

Motions

Motion to Receive Item moved by Sarah Bertollo (Carried)

That the item be received for information.