32 Challenges and considerations for biobanking for zoos and aquaria: a mammoth undertaking

Genome resource banking is the systematic collection, storage, and redistribution of biomaterials in a strategic and secure manner. Zoos and aquaria are increasingly adopting strategies for the preservation of genetic samples that are banked in genome resource banks in a small number of zoos, nongovernmental organizations, or government facilities. Improvements in cloning and gene-editing technologies have now opened avenues for utilising banked samples beyond traditional artificial insemination with frozen-thawed sperm and have also started discussions about ownership of samples and subsequent derivatives, ethics of proposed studies, and potentially profit-generating research using biomaterials from endangered species. Recent advancements, whereby a private biotechnology company cloned a black-footed ferret from genetic material that was unrepresented in the in situ population is considered a conservation success, but proposals from other private companies to recreate extinct species have been viewed less favourably, with concerns regarding available appropriate food items, habitat availability, and negative impacts on extant species. Arguments supporting the resurrection of extinct species focus on the considerable scientific advancements that must occur before the endpoint is reached, which could have significant benefits for extant species. Biomaterial transfer agreements are designed to provide a level of protection against potential litigation because of inappropriate sample use, disease exposure, etc., and could be easily adapted to contain clauses providing recompense to owners of samples in the event of a fiscal gain. More complex to navigate are the ethical decisions around project requests, e.g. is gene editing of coral to make it more heat resistant more acceptable than recreating an extinct species like the thylacine? And is recreating a recently extinct species like the thylacine more acceptable than gene editing to recreate a long-extinct mammoth? Risk assessments and cost-benefit analyses should be weighed against welfare concerns and ethical considerations. Irrespective, with gene-editing and cloning technologies rapidly advancing, there is a responsibility to develop a framework to help guide decision-making for biomaterial use that will allow the advance of the science of conservation while concomitantly mitigating long-term risks to existing ecosystems and species.