Commentary on Gene drive: Communication, hype, and the publics
Commentary on Gene drive: Communication, hype, and the publics
Tags: Gene drive, Stakeholder engagementThird World Network, GMWatch, 2025.
An article in the Journal of Medical Entomology critically reflects on the hype surrounding gene drive technologies, a novel self-spreading form of genetic modification that is designed to engineer entire populations of wild species. The author, a specialist in vector-borne diseases at the University of Montpellier, France, concludes that current communication around gene drives “often borders on propaganda rather than fostering a balanced, 2-way dialogue”. As such, “Research institutions must also exercise caution when promoting scientific advancements in press releases and media, ensuring that accurate, reliable information reaches the public.”
The rhetoric surrounding gene drive technologies is often couched in pessimistic language regarding ‘conventional’ tools. The narrow biomedical focus of such discussions also fails to consider systemic forces of vector borne disease, and “often falls short in critically examining health policies or calling for socioeconomic changes”. The current situation however, provides instructive examples of advances in malaria control, including several countries being declared malaria-free, or reporting zero deaths in recent years. Achievements have been gained with multipronged approaches including in vector control, case surveillance, diagnostics, as well as socioeconomic improvement and implementation of poverty alleviation.
