Question

Gene drives are systems of biased inheritance that enhance a genetic element's ability to pass from parent organism to offspring. With the advent of new, more efficient, and targeted gene­editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, gene modifications can, in principle, be spread throughout a population of living organisms intentionally and quickly via a gene drive, circumventing traditional rules of inheritance and greatly increasing the odds that an altered gene spreads throughout a population.

Gene drive works by harnessing the power of site­specific selfish genes known as homing endonuclease genes (HEGs). When a gene is part of an HEG construct, it can be passed on nearly 100% of the time, not just 50% of the time, favoring the propagation of the gene, even if it confers little or no survival advantage.

Gene drives have the potential to address public health threats, conservation­related issues, agricultural pests, and other challenges. For example, gene drives might be developed to modify organisms that carry infectious diseases. In agriculture, a gene drive might be used to control or alter organisms that damage crops or carry crop disease. Yet gene drives could also lead to unintended and even dire circumstances. For example, the uncontrolled release of gene drive–modified organisms could disrupt non­target species or lead to the establishment of a second, more resistant invasive species.

Give an informed opinion on the advisability of how rapidly (if at all) CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Drive technology should progress. Should the government regulate the application of this technology?