SHAWMUN VICTORIA UN Convention on Biological Diversity Background Guide Director: Maurits F. Dear Delegates, I welcome you all to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity at ShawMUN 2019. My name is Maurits, and I am a junior at Brentwood College School. This is now my 5th year of taking part in MUN, and ever since I began, my extreme passion has continued to grow. This is now my second time directing a committee; however, it will be my first time participating in a ShawMUN conference. As your director for ShawMUN 2019, I will do my part in making this conference as enjoyable and as interesting as possible. MUN has had such an important effect on my life as it has forced me to grow my communicative, imaginative, and collaborative skills, which have allowed me to grow in all fields of my life. The weekend will prove to be a creative and fulfilling experience, and I hope that debate will be extensive and detailed, providing delegates with a new understanding of the world around them; I am certain that you will receive the same benefits that I have over the past years. This year, the UNCBD will be debating a topic that is very up and coming in today’s society: Gene Drive Intervention. Becoming more and more prevalent over the last decades, scientists have finally developed a technology that provides humans with the ability to exterminate whole species of organisms. Gene drives, named so due to their ability to “drive” through whole species, have only recently come into fruition; however, their regulation and usage is extremely relevant to all humans today. The UNCBD will attack the topic on ethical, social, and economic fronts, and hopefully set a world precedent on their regulation and usage. The background guide provided for you today has been meticulously designed to help guide you in your research of the topic. In order to make the most of your ShawMUN experience please study this document as it will prove to be the key to a successful conference. On behalf of the UNCBD team, I formally welcome you to ShawMUN 2019, and wish you the best of luck in all upcoming debate. Sincerely, Maurits Freybe Director United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 1 Position Paper Policy Well-prepared and successful delegates all have used position papers as a way to get through MUN conferences. Well-written position papers consolidate your research and ensure that you will be an able participant in quality debate. Consequently, debate will be more rewarding and resolutions will be more realistic and thorough. For your staff, the position paper illustrates your grasp of the topics and your overall ability to support your ideas. The submission of position ​ papers is mandatory in order to qualify for awards. ​ Formatting All papers should not exceed 1 page - 12 point font and in Times New Roman with 1.15 spacing - Country Name, Delegate Name, Committee Name, and Topic clearly labeled on the top left-hand corner in that order - APA citation style Paragraph I - TOPIC SUMMARY Introduction to your main topic Explain the significance of the problem from your country’s position. ● You should discuss your country’s perspective on the problem as it manifests itself at a national and international level. ● Refer back to the Historical Analysis in the background Guide for insight. Select some key points that your country believes the committee debate should focus on. Paragraph II - PAST SOLUTIONS ● Identify and discuss past actions from your country and the international community. Discuss the implications of those actions in addressing the problem. Paragraph III - PROPOSED SOLUTIONS ● Identify and discuss some of your country’s proposed solutions. ● What country blocks will support or not support your proposed solutions? Why or why not? ● How can your country or the internationally community realistically initiate your solutions? ● What are some of the key elements that must be included in a new resolution on the topic? Please send all papers in PDF format with the subject title as “Position Paper: Country Name, First and Last Name” (Ex. Position Paper: United Kingdom, Theresa May) Please Submit your Position Paper by March 25th to [email protected] ​ ​ ​ 2 2 Table of Contents Topic A: Gene Drive Intervention Introduction 4 Past Action 5 Timeline 6 History 7 Current Situation 8 Possible Solutions 11 ​ Bloc Positions 13 Guiding Questions 14 Sources 15 2 3 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Topic A Gene Drive Intervention Introduction The medical world has seen many scientific breakthroughs, with human technological capabilities skyrocketing over the past centuries. With each new invention providing a platform to build upon, the creation of gene drives is supported by the multiple developments in DNA research. By using the newly discovered CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology, it is possible to implant a modified copy of a DNA strand into a specific gene of a cell, known as the doublesex gene. This gene, which controls the sterility of the offspring, has a unique ability where, if at any time it is broken, it copies itself into the other homologous chromosome. This provides almost a 100% chance of a gene being passed down from generation to generation, allowing scientists to eliminate the whole species of a specifically chosen organism. A gene drive can prove beneficial for an organism, with advantages including increased resistance to bacteria by exterminating the organisms that carry them, harsh weather conditions by, and invasive species; however, a harmful gene drive has the capability of exterminating an entire species. These characteristics have provided scientists with many opportunities to benefit the human race. Take Malaria for an example; a horrific endemic under which 219 million people suffer every year. The Malaria parasite is transmitted through three types of mosquitos which live mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa. If scientists were allowed to inject these species with a gene drive, it would theoretically be possible to save over 435,000 lives a year. Moreover, Malaria is just one of the many horrific endemics which can be prevented by the use of gene drives, further proving its importance and necessity. However, there is also the possibility for major harm to come from these gene drives. With the chance of cross-species contamination, whole ecosystems could be devastated. Without proper regulation of use, drives could have adverse effects. Furthermore, if gene drive technology fell into the wrong hands, it could be used as a biochemical weapon. If gene drives are not properly regulated and protected, they could be detrimental to human society. 2 4 Thus, the implementation of a UN convention on this topic is extremely valuable. The determination of the regulation, use, and legality of gene drives is mandatory, as it provides the human race with many benefits. However, if not properly regulated, gene drives could be the downfall of the human race. Past Action UNCBD Statement on Invasive Species At the 8th Ordinary Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the topic of invasive species was discussed and guidelines to protect the parties involved were created. There, it was decided that alien invasive species (IAS) are “considered to be one of the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss at the global level.”1 Additionally, IAS can carry infectious diseases that can be detrimental to human health. During the conference, Article 8(h) was created, which states that “each contracting party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate, prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.”2 Malaria Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC) Guiding Principles on Combating Malaria The World Health Organization created the MPAC in 2011 to discuss and decide methods that will efficiently and safely combat the harrowing advances of Malaria. This committee comes together twice a year to discuss, renew, and refine strategies in the fight against Malaria. In the most recent meeting, during October 2018, members of the panel “welcomed the idea of... hosting a technical consultation on parasite and vector genetics to assess the potential relevance to Malaria programme work.”3 CRISPR technology and gene drives alike are derived from vector genetics, in which certain DNA molecules are used to “carry in” genetically foreign substances or molecules into another cell. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Agriculture and Food Protection Department As pests damage crops in an innumerable amount of ways, farmers are constantly trying to find methods to eliminate the small organisms that lower their crop yields and profit. 1 “What are invasive species?,” Convention on Biological Diversity, 2007, https://www.cbd.int/invasive/ ​ 2 “The CBD and Invasive Alien Species,” Convention on Biological Diversity, 2009, https://www.cbd.int/idb/2009/about/cbd/ 3 "WHO Malaria Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC) Meeting." December 2018. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/275762/WHO-CDS-GMP-2018-24-eng.pdf?ua=1. ​ 2 5 Most farmers currently use pesticides to protect their crops; “however, their misuse can have serious negative impacts on both human health and the environment. It is necessary to shift towards a more sustainable way of increasing food production, one that maintains high productivity while protecting farmers, consumers and ecosystems.”4 The guidelines that are currently proposed by the FAO are fairly effective, but not always plausible; therefore, they have begun researching the possibility of gene drive use to protect farmers. Timeline ❖ 1973 - Genes are first taken from one organism and implanted in another. ​ ❖ 1987 - Accidental discovery of CRISPR editing technology by Japanese researcher ​ Yoshizumi Ishino. ❖ June 5th, 1992 - United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity first signed. ​ The convention has 196 parties, of which 168 are signatories.