Response to the policy question “How can innovation in the way we use information and emerging technologies help biodiversity thrive?”

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2021
Authors
Heinemann, J
Abstract

The challenge is to identify solutions to problems, not just participate in a process that shifts harm and defers solutions. Our response is provided in the spirit of wanting to help to restore and sustain “the mauri (life force) of nature.” Innovation is clearly needed to achieve this objective, but so is learning from past mistakes. The problems caused by many exotic plants and animals in AotearoaNew Zealand are themselves the outcomes of past innovations. For example, stoats were introduced as a biocontrol of rabbits2 that were introduced for food, sport and fur.3 These innovations were not called biotechnology, but were consistent with how we define it today because they were attempts to modify ecosystems to suit particular agricultural uses or to mitigate the impacts of those modifications. 4 Both information and biotechnology can be powerful tools when applied to understanding the causes of harm to biodiversity, monitoring and identifying the source of harm, and informing strategic approaches to limiting or eliminating adverse effects on native organisms. When used in a precisely defined framework that emphasises the value of biotechnology as an information provider, rather than a way to intervene in nature, it can be used safely with little risk that future generations will be correcting mistakes, as we are correcting the mistakes of generations that preceded us.

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Heinemann JA (2021). Response to the policy question “How can innovation in the way we use information and emerging technologies help biodiversity thrive?”.
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Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
Nga Upoko Tukutuku / Maori Subject Headings::Taiao | Ao nui; Environment; History, Natural; Natural history; Nature; World::Whanake taiao | Environmental sustainability; Sustainability, Environmental
Nga Upoko Tukutuku / Maori Subject Headings::Tikanga tuku iho | Values::Kaitiakitanga | Conservation of natural resources; Customary rights; Land stewardship; Rights, Customary; Stewardship, Land
Nga Upoko Tukutuku / Maori Subject Headings::Pūtaiao | Science::Hangarau | Technology
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::31 - Biological sciences::3106 - Industrial biotechnology::310699 - Industrial biotechnology not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research::44 - Human society::4407 - Policy and administration::440710 - Research, science and technology policy
Fields of Research::46 - Information and computing sciences::4609 - Information systems::460907 - Information systems for sustainable development and the public good
Fields of Research::41 - Environmental sciences::4104 - Environmental management
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