A coalition of wildlife non-governmental organizations has declared its opposition to the use of bioengineered rhino horn as a measure to curb poaching. The coalition, which includes Born Free Foundation, warns that the development and distribution of a synthetic alternative to real rhino horn could exacerbate the rhino crisis by removing the stigma of rhino horn consumption and create unnecessary obstacles for law enforcement. According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation, “Introducing rhino horn from alternative ‘legal’ sources into an unpredictable market could stimulate further demand, provide a loophole into which poached rhino horn can be introduced into the market, and create huge challenges for enforcement authorities, putting the world’s remaining rhinos under even more pressure.”
Link: Annamiticus