Population management using gene drive: molecular design, models of spread dynamics and assessment of ecological risks

Abstract

CRISPR gene drive has recently been proposed as a promising technology for population management, including in conservation genetics. The technique would consist in releasing genetically engineered individuals that are designed to rapidly propagate a desired mutation or transgene into wild populations. Potential applications in conservation biology include the control of invasive pest populations that threaten biodiversity (eradication and suppression drives), or the introduction of beneficial mutations in endangered populations (rescue drives). The propagation of a gene drive is affected by different factors that depend on the drive construct (e.g. its fitness effect and timing of expression) or on the target species (e.g. its mating system and population structure). We review potential applications of the different types of gene drives for conservation. We examine the challenges posed by the evolution of resistance to gene drives and review the various molecular and environmental risks associated with gene drives (e.g. propagation to non target populations or species and unintended detrimental ecosystem impacts). We provide some guidelines for future gene drive research and discuss ethical, biosafety and regulation issues.

The distribution and spread of naturally occurring Medea selfish genetic elements in the United States

“…Beyond the importance of understanding natural SGEs for advancing basic science, knowledge of natural SGEs is relevant to the newly emerging technology of "gene drives" that aims at using synthetic SGEs to drive genes into pest populations that will act to suppress the populations or decrease vectorial capacity of the populations (e.g., Godfray, North, & Burt, 2017;Rode, Estoup, Bourguet, Courtier-Orgogozo, & Debarre, 2019;Sinkins & Gould, 2006). Synthetic forms of Medea have been developed and tested in the laboratory (Buchman, Marshall, Ostrovski, Yang, & Akbari, 2018;Chen et al, 2007;Hay et al, 2010).…”

“…Synthetic forms of Medea have been developed and tested in the laboratory (Buchman, Marshall, Ostrovski, Yang, & Akbari, 2018;Chen et al, 2007;Hay et al, 2010). Currently, there is concern among scientists and the public regarding predictability of spread of synthetic gene drives and the potential of pest populations to evolve resistance to the gene drive mechanisms or to linked sequences that impact traits and/or the viability of homozygote offspring (e.g., NASEM, 2016;Rode et al, 2019).…”

How do we overcome abrupt degradation of marine ecosystems and meet the challenge of heat waves and climate extremes?

“…Genetic engineering: The alteration of an organism's DNA to modify its phenotype (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine, 2019;Phelps et al, 2018;Rode et al, 2019).…”

“…Other approaches include conventional cross-breeding of strains or species to create hybrids likely to be vigorous under future environmental conditions (van Oppen et al, 2015), and the optimization of symbiotic relationships to select for resistant holobionts (see review by Roughgarden, Gilbert, Rosenberg, Zilber-Rosenberg, & Lloyd, 2018). In the most extreme examples, these approaches extend to modifying the genomes of the target species and/or its symbiont(s) to create novel genotypes and holobionts (see reviews by Phelps, Seeb, & Seeb, 2018;Rode, Estoup, Bourguet, Courtier-Orgogozo, & Débarre, 2019). In these instances, the resulting engineered individuals would be introduced into wild populations and environmentally altered ecosystems, to restore desired organisms or ecosystem structures (termed 'rescue drives' in genome editing).…”

Evaluating the Probability of CRISPR-based Gene Drive Contaminating Another Species

“…Applications are not restricted to public health issues and also include agriculture, with for instance the elimination of invasive and pest species such as Drosophila suzukii or the suppression of herbicide resistance in weeds . Potential uses of gene drive are also reaching the field of conservation biology, with the targeting of rats ( Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) in New Zealand (Leitschuh et al 2018;Rode et al 2019) . So far, CRISPR-based gene drives have only been tested in laboratories or in large indoor cages.…”