PAPER: Conservation demands safe gene drive

Conservation demands safe gene drive

November 2017

Esvelt KM, Gemmell NJ 2017. Conservation demands safe gene drive. PLoS Biol 15(11): e2003850.

ABSTRACT

Interest in developing gene drive systems to control invasive species is growing, with New Zealand reportedly considering the nascent technology as a way to locally eliminate the mammalian pests that threaten its unique flora and fauna. If gene drives successfully eradicated these invasive populations, many would rejoice, but what are the possible consequences? Here, we explore the risk of accidental spread posed by self-propagating gene drive technologies, highlight new gene drive designs that might achieve better outcomes, and explain why we need open and international discussions concerning a technology that could have global ramifications.

KEYWORDS

Gene drive systems; Invasive species control; New Zealand; Mammalian pests; Risk of accidental spread; International discussions; Biodiversity preservation; CRISPR-based gene drives; Ecological consequences; Conservation applications