RNAi: Applications in Vertebrate Pest Management
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K. E. Horak,
Trends in Biotechnology,
38:1200-1202.
2020.
Sequence-directed inhibition of protein synthesis by RNAi has potential as a means to control pest wildlife. Species specific by design, RNAi reduces impacts on nontarget species and the environment. Additional research advancing the field of RNAi-based management of vertebrate pest wildlife is timely. Invasive and pest wildlife species cause significant damage to ecosystems and human infrastructure, spoil food stores, and eat or ruin food crops. On average, rodents damage or spoil 10–30% of food crops (>77 million tons) annually, enough food to feed 180 million people [3]. Mitigating these effects often depends on controlling animals using chemicals in toxic baits or fertility control agents. Criticism of these control methods is often focused on lack of efficacy, risks to nontarget species, and environmental burden. Therefore, the development of novel control technologies must be focused on species specificity and low environmental impact. Sequence-specific gene silencing via RNAi holds promise for effective management of pest wildlife. The silencing of genes using RNAi can be more cost-effective and humane with fewer nontarget effects than current approaches. More related to this: Gene silencing and gene drive in dengue vector control Genome Editing in Food and Farming: Risks and unexpected consequences
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