After more than a decade working in conservation, Ryan Phelan makes the case that the fear of unintended consequences often puts the brakes on innovation, especially when it comes to conservation. And inaction all too often leads to extinction. “Intended Consequences,” provides a deliberate counterweight. This new language underlines what conservation interventions can accomplish if uncertainty is acknowledged and innovation is embraced.
Ryan sets the stage for the unparalleled opportunities that biotechnology brings to help solve the current biodiversity crisis with stories about the cloned black-footed ferret, the cloned Przewalski’s horse, the blight-tolerant American chestnut, and even the potential for engineering more resilient corals. “Intended Consequences” advocates for keeping an eye on the benefits for biodiversity, and working toward a future we want.
