Over the last few decades, there have been new genetic engineering tools developed to manipulate genetic material in plants and other organisms. Most people are familiar with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), but there is a second tool that is in the evaluation phase called Gene Drive Organisms (GDO).
Both GMO and GDO are designed to replace certain characters in animals or plants that are more beneficial for humans. GDO, however, introduces synthetic DNA and changes the genome using CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing. Once the genome changes, those changes are passed on to the organism’s offspring and their offspring and on and on it goes.
Recent studies have shown that using synthetic CRISPR-based gene drives in organisms like yeast, fruit flies, and mosquitos is possible.
A group of scientists led by Marion Dolezel from the Environment Agency Austria published a study in the journal, BioRisk, discussing potential risks and impacts of GDOs on the environment. Three main areas could theoretically benefit from GDO: public health and control of human pathogens, weed and pest control in agriculture, and control of harmful non-native species.
Based on the previous studies, the gene drive approach could be useful in the prevention of some diseases and maybe even future pandemics. Lab tests have shown that genetically modified mosquitos can reduce malaria. "The potential of GDOs for unlimited spread throughout wild populations, once released, and the inexhaustible possibilities of multiple and rapid modifications of the genome in a vast variety of organisms, including higher organisms such as vertebrates, pose specific challenges for the application of adequate risk assessment methodologies," says Dolezel.
Dolezel continues, “The goal of gene drive applications is to introduce a permanent change in the ecosystem, either by introducing a phenotypic change or by drastically reducing or eradicating a local population or a species. This is a fundamental difference to GM crops for which each single generation of hybrid seed is genetically modified, released and removed from the environment after a relatively short period.”
Right now, it is hard to know the risks of gene drive applications or what impact they may have on the environment. "The final decision to release GDOs into the environment will, however, not be a purely scientific question, but will need some form of broader stakeholder engagement and the commitment to specific protection goals for human health and the environment", concludes Dolezel.