WCC 2016 Res 086 - Activity Report

A work plan has been developed for the development of IUCN's policy on synthetic biology. This work plan has been used to develop the terms of reference of the inter-commissional task force to oversee the policy-development process. These terms of reference were developed through a collaboration between the Species Survival Commission, the Chief Scientist, the Global Policy Unit and the Environmental Law Centre. The Commission Chairs have signed off on the terms of reference, and Dr Kent Redford has been appointed to chair the task force. As of 26/1/2018 he is going through the process of identifying and appointing members of the task force, and Commission Chairs have been asked to nominate task force members. The task force is expected to meet and start its work in the coming months.

The work plan referred to above was developed into a fundraising proposal and sent to several potential donors. Funding has been secured to enable the work to start, but more funding still needs to be secured. The initial donors are the Swiss Office fédéral de l'environnement (OFEV) and the Luc Hoffmann Institute (affiliated with WWF International). The Chief Scientist and Dr Redford played critical roles in securing these two donations.