Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
Guided by the mission of the United Nations and iGEM to “create projects that benefit the world and are responsible to the world,” we have gained a deeper understanding of our product. Our project is the production of biological pesticides, and we focus on the technology to solve global issues, envisioning how our product can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals aimed at addressing urgent challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace. These goals are intended to create a sustainable future for all by 2030, encouraging efforts in areas such as health, education, clean energy, and the protection of ecosystems. Today, the applications of molecular biology and synthetic biology are well known, and our dsRNA product is designed to contribute to Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, and Goal 15: Life on Land.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
In our efforts to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, we have developed a novel application of dsRNA technology to combat corn sheath blight - a devastating fungal disease that ravages crop yields worldwide. By engineering customized dsRNA strands that target key genes in the pathogenic Rhizoctonia solani Fungi, we have demonstrated the ability to effectively “silence” the disease and protect valuable corn harvests. This not only safeguards a critical food source, but also reduces reliance on harmful chemical fungicides, aligning with principles of sustainable agriculture. Through this dsRNA-based approach, we aim to empower smallholder farmers and bolster global food security - core tenets of the Zero Hunger initiative. As we continue to refine and scale this solution, we are confident it will play a meaningful role in eliminating hunger and malnutrition across the world. In this extent, we had an interview with Dr. Roger Worthington who was one of the co-chairs the SDG Publishers Compact Fellows and is a former adjunct faculty member at Yale School of Medicine. He has advised us “In terms of zero hunger and sustainable development goals, the human consumption is very important, since it is one of the most inefficient ways of food, there is at least seven times as much required to feed a given population with including part of their diet, it is important to relate the yield of products with the consumption of food.”
How we address different targets? Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. Our product is about to achieve through introducing our dsRNA pesticide towards the public, especially 2.1.2 which is “Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)”, such as our biodegradable pesticide can bring a great benefit comparing to the traditional chemical pesticide that has been used frequently in the current market condition.
Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. Our product’s aiming protection against infection of sheath blight can largely increase the yield of corns production, especially 2.3.1 which addresses “Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size”, our pesticide can greatly increase the production of corns yield, by preventing the possibility of Rhizoctonia Solani fungus attack the plant.
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. Our product is sustainable in the way of pesticide leftovers is impossible to occur, which our dsRNA is biodegradable in the environment, with zero harm towards the local ecosystem and addresses by increase production and help maintain ecosystems at the same time.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
Recognizing the integral link between human health, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability, our project has leveraged the power of dsRNA technology to tackle corn sheath blight - a pervasive fungal disease that threatens food security and community well-being around the world. By engineering customized dsRNA strands to silence key genes within the Rhizoctonia solani pathogen, we have demonstrated an effective, non-toxic means of protecting valuable corn harvests. Not only does this help ensure access to nutritious staple crops, but it also reduces reliance on harmful chemical fungicides that can contaminate soil and water supplies. In this way, our dsRNA-based solution directly supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-Being by safeguarding both human and environmental health. As we continue to refine and scale this innovation, we are confident it will play a vital role in cultivating healthier, more resilient communities worldwide.
Even more, in this extent, the same professor Dr. Roger Worthington, he has mentioned that “Health and well-being are an important criterion for your synthetical fungicides because it is directly linked to the quality of food and consumption and people. If the crops that are grown are better quality, then it’s good for health.” In this way, our product has addressed that the if the percentage of corns infection can be largely reduced, we would increase the quality of how global citizens can access to healthy food.
How we address different targets? Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. Our product aims to reduce the amount of pollution that has been release to the soil and water, by providing the farmers with a biodegradable synthetic pesticide that will not harm the consumers who ate them. Even more, specifically to target 3.9.3, decrease the mortality rate attributed to unintentional poisoning, our product will decrease such rate by producing dsRNA degradable pesticide to the environment, reduce the amount of unintentional poisoning of the chemicals.
Target 3.B: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all. Our product is a fully researched and developed agricultural pesticide towards sheath blight in the corns that will likely decrease the infection of Rhizoctonia solani in maize, wheats or more agricultural products. In this way, we are able to produce an environmentally friendly, cheap to buy biodegradable pesticide.
SDG 15 – Life On Land
At the heart of our project’s mission lies a commitment to protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems - a core tenet of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for Life on Land. Our innovative use of dsRNA technology to combat corn sheath blight, a devastating fungal disease, exemplifies this focus. Unlike traditional chemical fungicides, our dsRNA-based solution is inherently animal-safe, designed to target only the pathogenic Rhizoctonia solani fungal responsible for the disease. By precisely silencing key genes within this specific microorganism, we are able to effectively eradicate the threat to corn crops without harming beneficial soil microbes, wildlife, or the broader environment. This selective, non-toxic approach helps to preserve the delicate balance of life on the land, safeguarding ecosystems and the vital agricultural systems they support. As we advance this technology, we are confident it will play a pivotal role in realizing the UN’s vision for a world where humans and nature can thrive in harmony - a future in which corn farmers, rural communities, and diverse terrestrial life can all prosper.
How we address different targets? Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements Our product is designed to produce a sustainable item that protects the health of terrestrial and freshwater systems. dsRNA is a specifically designed fragment targeting a fungus, which minimizes the impact on other species during application. Unlike many chemical pesticides, it does not result in long-lasting pesticide residues and degrades at a relatively fast rate under the influence of external factors such as light and enzymes, reducing the impact on soil, rivers, and lakes.
Target 15.6: Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed
Our product utilizes gene silencing technology. By editing dsRNA into biological pesticides, we are able to silence the cat gene in rhizobia, which causes sheath blight in agricultural products. In our plans for the development and commercialization of the dsRNA biological pesticide project, we have also considered the advice given to us by experts and professors in the IHP work. We will provide the application of technology and other resources to the relevant communities and countries, enabling them to share equitably the benefits arising from the use of these resources. This may include technology transfer or joint development, among others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our project integrates cutting-edge dsRNA technology with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create a more sustainable future in agriculture. By focusing on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), we address critical global challenges such as food security, human health, and environmental protection. Through the development of a biodegradable dsRNA pesticide that combats corn sheath blight, we aim to enhance crop yields, reduce the reliance on harmful chemicals, and protect ecosystems. Our project aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture, promoting resilience and health for both the environment and communities around the world.
