# Island Conservation

runs the GBIRd (Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents) program, using geographically isolated island sites to conduct confined gene-drive field trials for invasive-rodent control, generating the ecological containment and persistence data regulators require.


Source: https://en.bioecon.ru/companies/island-conservation/
Updated: 2026-08-15

- Country: United States

## Verifiable facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Affiliation | Island Conservation is a founding partner of the Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents (GBIRd) partnership, which also includes CSIRO, North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University, University of Adelaide, and USDA’s APHIS. | https://www.geneticbiocontrol.org/, https://www.geneticbiocontrol.org/opportunities-knowledge-gaps-gene-drive-research/ |
| Research focus | Developing gene drive technology (e.g., t-CRISPR) to eradicate invasive rodents on islands by biasing offspring sex ratios. | https://www.geneticbiocontrol.org/, https://www.geneticbiocontrol.org/opportunities-knowledge-gaps-gene-drive-research/, https://www.islandconservation.org/innovation/ |
| Facility | CSIRO’s biosecure mouse facilities in Geelong, Australia. | https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/could-wa-be-the-genetic-testing-ground-for-synthetic-mice-to-end-mice-20180221-h0wev9.html |
| Grant | Approximately $6.5 million in DARPA (Safe Genes program) funding. | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/conservation-minister-opposes-gm-rodent-plan/FHHX2TIWX32LBW2TSTAJMOU4G4/, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/consortium-eyes-nz-islands-for-genetic-trials-on-pests/YHHBLWCUN2KXZIRSXTS7YRVBVU/, https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/could-wa-be-the-genetic-testing-ground-for-synthetic-mice-to-end-mice-20180221-h0wev9.html |
| Publications | The partnership publishes research on rodent population genomics, gene drive feasibility, and ethics, including studies in journals like PNAS and Evolution Applications. [medium confidence] | https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/csp2.406 |
| Principal staff | Penny Becker (CEO, Island Conservation), J. Royden Saah (GBIRd Program Coordinator), David Will (Head of Innovation, Island Conservation), Paul Thomas (Professor, University of Adelaide). | https://genedrivenetwork.org/blog/a-new-gene-drive-tool-could-help-solve-the-challenge-of-invasive-mice/, https://www.islandconservation.org/island-conservations-board-resolution-genetic-biocontrol-invasive-rodents-partnership/, https://www.islandconservation.org/our-team/ |
| Headcount | Island Conservation reports having a team of staff, Board of Directors, and an Advisory Council, but does not specify a total employee headcount. [medium confidence] | https://www.islandconservation.org/2025-impact-report/ |

Independent sources: conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com, genedrivenetwork.org, geneticbiocontrol.org, nzherald.co.nz, smh.com.au

## Technologies

- [Ecological risks of synthetic biology](https://en.bioecon.ru/technology/ecological-risks-of-synthetic-biology/)