The moratorium on gene drive was canceled
The use of genetically modified mosquitoes as weapons is allowed
The parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity rejected the proposal to impose a moratorium on the use and testing of gene drive technology. With the help of it, scientists plan to breed genetically modified mosquitoes that will spread altered DNA in the population and become a weapon against malaria. This is reported by the publication Gizmodo (The UN Just Gave Scientists the Green Light to Mess With Natural Selection).
Gene drive is a method that allows you to quickly distribute a human–modified gene among animals or plants. Scientists want to use it to reduce or destroy the population of malaria mosquitoes by reducing their fertility. However, environmental organizations fear that the use of technology will lead to the extinction of many animal species or the reproduction of undesirable organisms.
At a conference in Mexico, the convention participants approved the use of gene drive, calling for caution when conducting field tests and a thorough assessment of possible risks. At the same time, some countries supported the moratorium.
Scientists understand that improper use of the gene drive can cause an environmental disaster. Thus, British geneticist Kevin Esvelt urged colleagues to publicly discuss the method and make efforts to make it safer.
CRISPR technology is used to create a gene drive. If one of the parents of an individual was a carrier of a mutant gene, then he can pass it on to his offspring with a 50 percent probability. This is because the parent has two copies of the gene, only one of which is defective. However, CRISPR is able to copy a mutant fragment and insert it into a healthy gene. Thus, the descendants receive a mutation with a 100 percent probability.
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23.12.2016