Open AccessGene drive strategies of pest control in agricultural systems: Challenges and opportunities
Author(s) -
Legros Mathieu,
Marshall John M.,
Macfadyen Sarina,
Hayes Keith R.,
Sheppard Andy,
Barrett Luke G.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
evolutionary applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 68
ISSN - 1752-4571
DOI - 10.1111/eva.13285
Subject(s) - gene drive , biology , agriculture , pest control , agricultural pest , control (management) , risk analysis (engineering) , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , gene , computer science , business , genetics , crispr , agricultural science , artificial intelligence
Recent advances in gene‐editing technologies have opened new avenues for genetic pest control strategies, in particular around the use of gene drives to suppress or modify pest populations. Significant uncertainty, however, surrounds the applicability of these strategies to novel target species, their efficacy in natural populations and their eventual safety and acceptability as control methods. In this article, we identify issues associated with the potential use of gene drives in agricultural systems, to control pests and diseases that impose a significant cost to agriculture around the world. We first review the need for innovative approaches and provide an overview of the most relevant biological and ecological traits of agricultural pests that could impact the outcome of gene drive approaches. We then describe the specific challenges associated with using gene drives in agricultural systems, as well as the opportunities that these environments may offer, focusing in particular on the advantages of high‐threshold gene drives. Overall, we aim to provide a comprehensive view of the potential opportunities and the remaining uncertainties around the use of gene drives in agricultural systems.