Gene drive:
In genetics, gene drive is the phenomenon in which the inheritance of a particular gene or set of genes is favorably biased. Gene drive can arise through a variety of mechanisms and results in its prevalence increasing in a population. Engineered gene drives have been proposed to provide an effective means of genetically modifying populations or even whole species. [Wikipedia]
Noted in “Gene drives can beat pests, but we can’t afford any mistakes,” Michael Le Page, NewScientist (25 November 2017, paywall):
NEW ZEALAND is considering using genetic “extinction” drives to tackle invaders such as rats, possums and stoats. These gene drives are essentially genetic parasites that can spread and wipe out populations.
But leading gene drive researchers are calling for caution. They argue that no country should tackle invasive species in this way unless these can be certain the drives won’t spread beyond that country’s borders (PLOS Biology, doi.org/cgcb).
Possums, for instance, are protected species in neighbouring Australia, so it would be a disaster if a possum-killing gene drive was deliberately or accidentally introduced there. Instead, conservationists should release only smart gene drives that cannot spread in other countries.
