IMPACTOS AMBIENTAIS DA TÉCNICA DE GENE DRIVE PARA O CONTROLE DE EPIDEMIAS: ALCANCES E LIMITES DO PRINCÍPIO DA PRECAUÇÃO

The paper discusses the application of the precautionary principle in the management of environmental risks arising from the use of gene drives to control epidemics. Gene drives consist of a technique for creating genetically modified organisms, which are released into an ecosystem with the aim of spreading certain genetic elements and prevailing over native organisms. Among the possible uses of this technique are the control of epidemics. Despite its benefits, assessing the impact of gene drives on the environment proves to be a challenge. In the field of biotechnology, the socalled precautionary principle was formulated as a strategy to ground decisions whose consequences are uncertain. However, its application raises discussions about the ability to prevent damage from new technologies. Its critics argue that the precautionary mentality could lead to inaction, obstructing scientific development. Thus, this article highlights the contributions of such principle to guide the use of gene drives, while reflecting on its limits, confronting it with an alternative risk management model: the proactionary principle.

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