Methodologies and special considerations for environmental risk analysis of genetically modified aquatic biocontrol organisms

Dana, G.; Cooper, Anne; Pennington, Kelly; Sharpe, L.

doi:10.1007/s10530-012-0391-x

“…Frameworks for evaluating ecological consequences are similarly focused on mosquitoes (David et al, 2013) and the few other organisms for which alternative genetic biocontrol methods have been considered (Dana et al, 2014). While these examples provide an invaluable starting point for investigations of RNA-guided gene drives targeting other organisms, studies examining the particular drive, population, and associated ecosystem in question will be needed.…”

Section: Gene Drive Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerning RNA-guided gene drives for the alteration of wild populations

Esvelt¹,

Smidler²,

Catteruccia

³

et al. 2014

eLife

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Gene drives may be capable of addressing ecological problems by altering entire populations of wild organisms, but their use has remained largely theoretical due to technical constraints. Here we consider the potential for RNA-guided gene drives based on the CRISPR nuclease Cas9 to serve as a general method for spreading altered traits through wild populations over many generations. We detail likely capabilities, discuss limitations, and provide novel precautionary strategies to control the spread of gene drives and reverse genomic changes. The ability to edit populations of sexual species would offer substantial benefits to humanity and the environment. For example, RNA-guided gene drives could potentially prevent the spread of disease, support agriculture by reversing pesticide and herbicide resistance in insects and weeds, and control damaging invasive species. However, the possibility of unwanted ecological effects and near-certainty of spread across political borders demand careful assessment of each potential application. We call for thoughtful, inclusive, and well-informed public discussions to explore the responsible use of this currently theoretical technology.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03401.001

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“…Fourth, our current knowledge of the risk management 5,11,36,37,95 and containment 35,38 issues associated with gene drives is largely due to the efforts of researchers focused on mosquito-borne illnesses. Frameworks for evaluating ecological consequences are similarly focused on mosquitoes 39 and the few other organisms for which alternative genetic biocontrol methods have been considered 96 . While these examples provide an invaluable starting point for investigations of RNA-guided gene drives targeting other organisms, studies examining the particular drive, population, and associated ecosystem in question will be needed.…”

Section: Gene Drive Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concerning RNA-Guided Gene Drives for the Alteration of Wild Populations

Esvelt

¹

,

Smidler

²

,

Catteruccia

³

et al. 2014

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gene drives may be capable of addressing ecological problems by altering entire populations of wild organisms, but their use has remained largely theoretical due to technical constraints. Here we consider the potential for RNA-guided gene drives based on the CRISPR nuclease Cas9 to serve as a general method for spreading altered traits through wild populations over many generations. We detail likely capabilities, discuss limitations, and provide novel precautionary strategies to control the spread of gene drives and reverse genomic changes. The ability to edit populations of sexual species would offer substantial benefits to humanity and the environment. For example, RNA-guided gene drives could potentially prevent the spread of disease, support agriculture by reversing pesticide and herbicide resistance in insects and weeds, and control damaging invasive species. However, the possibility of unwanted ecological effects and near-certainty of spread across political borders demand careful assessment of each potential application. We call for thoughtful, inclusive, and well-informed public discussions to explore the responsible use of this currently theoretical technology.

show abstract

“…Current knowledge of the risk management (Alphey 2014;Baldacchino et al 2015;Scott et al 2002;Touré et al 2004; UNEP 2010) and containment (Benedict et al 2008;Marshall 2009) issues associated with gene drives is largely focused on mosquito-borne diseases. Frameworks for evaluating ecological consequences are similarly focused on mosquitoes (David et al 2013) and the few other organisms for which alternative genetic biocontrol methods have been considered (Dana et al 2014;Hayes et al 2014). While these examples provide an invaluable starting point for investigations of RNA-guided gene drives targeting other organisms, studies examining the particular drive, population, and associated ecosystem in question will be needed.…”

Section: Limitations Of Crispr-cas9-mediated Gene Drivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive species management on military lands : clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-based gene drives

Gong¹

2017

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The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation's public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil. To search for other technical reports published by ERDC, visit the ERDC online library at http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default.

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Methodologies and special considerations for environmental risk analysis of genetically modified aquatic biocontrol organisms

Cited by 14 publications

References 66 publications

Concerning RNA-guided gene drives for the alteration of wild populations

Concerning RNA-guided gene drives for the alteration of wild populations

Concerning RNA-Guided Gene Drives for the Alteration of Wild Populations

Invasive species management on military lands : clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)-based gene drives

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