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Gene drives: benefits, risks, and possible applications

Gene drives are genetic elements that skew the pattern of inheritance of a given characteristic in sexually reproduc- ing organisms. They can be used to spread a characteristic that can alter or even reduce the numbers of individuals in wild populations of a certain species.

Gene drives: benefits, risks, and possible applications
Image: Akademie der Naturwissenschaften Schweiz (SCNAT)

PDF of the factsheet

As they spread by being inherited from one generation to the next, they could persist in populations long-term. The spreading property of gene drives could be a source of great potential in areas as diverse as the control of disease vectors, invasive species, agricultural pests and predators of endangered species.

However, the same property may make containment challenging and therefore may also pose novel environmental risks. The evaluation, distribution of risks and benefits and the fact that gene drives may be seen as a particularly profound interference with nature raises further novel ethical considerations.

Source: A Deplazes-Zemp, U Grossniklaus, F Lefort, P Müller, J Romeis, A Rüegsegger, N Schoenenberger, E Spehn (2020) Gene drives: benefits, risks, and possible applications. Swiss Academies Factsheets 15 (4)

Gene Drives - Wundermittel? Biowaffe? Hype?

Categories

  • Disease carriers
  • Gene technology
  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Contact

SCNAT
Forum for Genetic Research
House of Academies
PO Box
3001 Bern
Switzerland


Printed copies will be available free of charge from mid-June and can already be ordered now: geneticresearch@scnat.ch

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