The Trump administration launches a DNA preservation initiative through a new partnership aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation using advanced genomic science and biobanking technologies. The U.S. Department of the Interior has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Colossal Biosciences, establishing a framework to preserve the genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species across the United States. As biodiversity loss accelerates worldwide, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing more than 47,000 species as threatened with extinction, and the IPBES warning that up to one million species face extinction due to human activities, scientists increasingly view genetic preservation as an important tool for supporting future conservation and species recovery.

The initiative seeks to combine government expertise with private-sector innovation to ensure that conservation decisions are guided by cutting-edge science.

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A New Partnership for Conservation Innovation

The agreement brings together the scientific capabilities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences to expand the use of genomics in wildlife management.

The partnership aligns with the administration’s broader objective of encouraging public-private collaboration while advancing American leadership in biotechnology and conservation science.

According to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the initiative aims to develop new scientific tools capable of recovering species, preserving critical genetic resources, and strengthening long-term wildlife conservation efforts.

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What Is Biobanking?

At the heart of the initiative is biobanking, the long-term cryopreservation of biological materials such as tissues, cells, and DNA that contain valuable genetic information.

These biological samples can support:

• Future conservation research
• Population management programs
• Genetic diversity preservation
• Species recovery planning
• Emerging biotechnology applications

Because genomic technologies continue to evolve rapidly, preserving genetic material today may provide future opportunities to improve breeding programs, strengthen endangered populations, and better understand species resilience.

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How the Initiative Will Support Wildlife Recovery

The Trump administration launches the DNA preservation initiative to establish a coordinated national approach for integrating genomic science into conservation planning.

Under the agreement, both organizations will collaborate to:

• Expand biobanking programs for species of conservation concern.
• Develop best practices for genomic data management and accessibility.
• Identify priority species that could benefit from genetic preservation.
• Support scientific training and workforce development in conservation genomics.
• Promote scientific collaboration between government researchers and biotechnology experts.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik said that applying the best available science is essential as biodiversity faces increasing environmental pressures. He noted that biobanking and genomics can complement traditional conservation strategies and contribute to the long-term resilience of vulnerable species.

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Balancing Innovation and Conservation

Unlike conventional wildlife conservation, which primarily focuses on habitat restoration and population protection, genomic conservation provides an additional layer of protection by safeguarding a species’ genetic diversity for future generations.

Scientists emphasize that genetic diversity is critical for helping wildlife adapt to diseases, habitat loss, climate change, and other environmental pressures. While biobanking is not intended to replace traditional conservation methods, it offers a valuable scientific resource that could enhance future recovery efforts as technologies continue to advance.

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