Novel organisms and the ethics of conservation: Divergent views on gene drives reflect divergent ideas about humans and nature.

What concepts of nature, humans, and their relationships underpin the debate about gene drives for conservation? To provide some answers to this question, the eradication of invasive rodents on islands is used as an example. While current debates mostly weigh the potential benefits for conservation against the potential ecological risks, it is worthwhile to move beyond such a risk-benefit perspective. Ethical issues that are more specific to conservation are: the significance of "natural", the normative goals of conservation, and the ideal of living in harmony with nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]