The idea of gene drives, which could be broadly described as selective breeding in a lab, first emerged in the 1960’s. The publication last July of two studies, « Concerning RNA-Guided Gene Drives for the Alteration of Wild Populations » and « Regulating gene drives » by a team of Harvard scientists renewed this field by outlining a technically feasible general method for spreading altered traits through wild populations of sexually reproducing species over many generations. This new technique, inspired by Austin Burt’s research, is based on, and virtually made possible by, the use of a two-years old gene-engineering tool, CRISPR Cas9. If proven effective, it could have numerous applications in the fields of health, agriculture, biodiversity and ecology. However, this innovative and untested technique could irremediably alter global ecosystems. By publishing their findings early on, the authors wish to stir a necessary public dialogue on future development and use of gene drives.
The most compelling benefits of gene drives could be seen in three domains.First, it could provide a new way of combating the spread of vector-borne diseases, responsible for the loss of countless lives, such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya or Lyme disease. In the fight against malaria, gene drives could offer a solution...
