Evaluating Gene Drive Approaches for Public Benefit
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M. R. Santos,
GMOs: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Processes,
2020.
Gene drive approaches—those which bias inheritance of a genetic element in a population of sexually reproducing organisms—have the potential to provide important public benefits. The spread of selected genetic elements in wild populations of organisms may help address certain challenges, such as transmission of vector-borne human and animal diseases and biodiversity loss due to invasive animals. Adapting various naturally occurring gene drive mechanisms to these aims is a long-standing research area, and recent advances in genetics have made engineering gene drive systems significantly more technically feasible. Gene drive approaches would act through changes in natural environments, thus robust methods to evaluate potential research and use are important. More related to this: Gene drives: benefits, risks, and possible applications Research and Innovation for biodiversity: what role for gene drive research? Further guidance required for assessment of gene drive technology, says EFSA
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