Gene drive and RNAi technologies: a bio-cultural review of next-generation tools for pest wasp management in New Zealand

Abstract

There is a global need for novel, next-generation technologies and techniques to manage pest species. We review work on potential step-changing technologies for large landscape (>1000 hectares) pest management of social Vespula wasps. We also review Māori perspectives on these controls to gauge social and cultural acceptability to research, test and use of novel controls. Approaches discussed are the use of gene silencing (RNAi) and gene drives (CRISPR-Cas 9) involving genetic modification, which has potential for pest control but vary in feasibility, cost, benefits and off-target risks. RNAi may be better suited for wasp control in high-value cropping systems due to scaling inefficiencies. Gene drives offer potential for large-scale control but would require legislative and wide social deliberation due to their status as genetic modification. Both RNAi and gene drives will require consultation with tangata whenua. Māori interest groups agreed that exotic wasps must be controlled and expressed aversion to non-targeted traditional control methods. We present a diversity of opinions in parallel with scientific research underscoring the need for continued dialogue with Māori. Novel biotechnological controls must satisfy a broad range of social and cultural criteria, receive regulatory approval, along with being demonstrated as safe, selective, and cost-effective.

No Such Thing as Containment? Gene Drives for Conservation and the (Im)possibility of an Island

“…The relevance of these considerations presents itself most clearly in relation to the widely expressed commitment to the involvement of local and often Indigenous communities in decision-making about gene drive applications in local environments (e.g. Esvelt & Gemmell, 2017;Dearden et al, 2018;Barnhill-Dilling et al, 2019;Campbell et al, 2019;George et al, 2019;Taitingfong, 2019;Hartley et al, 2022;Palmer et al, 2022. Similar emphasis is expressed for CRISPR and biotechnology more broadly, e.g.…”