Every year, poachers shoot hundreds of rhinos, fishing crews take millions of sharks out of protected waters, and smugglers move countless animals and plants across borders. This illegal activity is incredibly difficult to disrupt, as it is supported by sophisticated criminal networks and criminals know that their chances of being caught are low. According to Interpol, with an annual value of $20 billion, it is the world’s fourth most lucrative criminal enterprise after drugs, arms and people smuggling.
The environmental protectors confronting these nefarious networks – scattered coalitions of rangers, community groups and law enforcement officials – have long been ill-equipped and underfunded.
Still, there is real hope that technology can help turn the tide – and stop poaching at the source. Read the full story.
-Matthew Ponsford
This story is from the next print issue MIT Technology Review Magazine, which is all about crime. If you haven’t already, Subscribe now To receive future points once landed.
Peptides are everywhere. Here’s what you need to know.
Want to lose weight? Good? Stay mentally sharp? A health influencer may tell you to take peptides, the latest cure in the alternative medicine arsenal. They’re everywhere on social media, and their popularity is only going to grow.
However, the benefits and risks of many of these compounds are largely unknown. Some of the most popular peptides have never been tested in human trials. These are sold for research purposes, not for human consumption, and are illegal versions of some extremely successful weight loss drugs. This raises big questions about their safety and effectiveness, which are still unresolved. Read the full story.
-Cassandra Willard
This story is part of MIT Technology Review Explains: Our series untangles the complex, messy world of technology to help you understand what’s coming next. You can read more from the series here.
