Genetic Engineering to Clash With Evolution, (gene drive modeling)
But wild populations may resist gene drives in unpredictable ways. “We know from past experiences that mosquitoes, especially the malaria mosquitoes, have such peculiar biology and behavior,” Those mosquitoes are much more resilient than we make them. And engineering them will prove more difficult than we think.” In fact, such unpredictability could likely be found in any species.
“Nonhomologous end joining is a recipe for resistance. Because the CRISPR system is designed to locate a specific stretch of DNA, it won’t recognize a section that has the equivalent of a nonsensical word in the middle. The gene drive won’t get into the DNA, and it won’t get passed on to the next generation. With homology-directed repair, the template could include the gene drive, ensuring that it would carry on.”
he worries that researchers will be fooled into thinking that forms of resistance offer “more of a buffer and safety net than they do.”
And while mathematical models are helpful, researchers stress that models can’t replace actual experimentation. Ecological systems are just too complicated. “We have no experience engineering systems that are going to evolve outside of our control. We have never done that before,” Esvelt said. “So that’s why a lot of these modeling studies are important — they can give us a handle on what might happen. But I’m also hesitant to rely on modeling and trying to predict in advance when systems are so complicated.”
and a comment:
Gene Partlow says: September 8, 2016 at 11:20 pm
So far as I can tell, nobody has brought up the fact of lateral, ie: horizontal
transmission of genetic material, a rich phenomenon which involves microbes
and viruses. This is turning out to be important in evolutionary scenarios and
must be considered in any Gene Drive research. We cannot control those pathways
of genetic transfer in the wild environment.
That seems to be mostly speculation. I think they overestimate evolution, but we do know it is possible to Evolve to Extinction.
But even if it doesn’t work, we should still try of course. Eventually we will figure it out. And exterminating mosquitoes could be the greatest public health program of all time, so it’s worth whatever it takes. It could still be effective at temporarily reducing the population until they evolve resistance.
Genetic Engineering to Clash With Evolution, (gene drive modeling)
But wild populations may resist gene drives in unpredictable ways. “We know from past experiences that mosquitoes, especially the malaria mosquitoes, have such peculiar biology and behavior,” Those mosquitoes are much more resilient than we make them. And engineering them will prove more difficult than we think.” In fact, such unpredictability could likely be found in any species.
“Nonhomologous end joining is a recipe for resistance. Because the CRISPR system is designed to locate a specific stretch of DNA, it won’t recognize a section that has the equivalent of a nonsensical word in the middle. The gene drive won’t get into the DNA, and it won’t get passed on to the next generation. With homology-directed repair, the template could include the gene drive, ensuring that it would carry on.”
he worries that researchers will be fooled into thinking that forms of resistance offer “more of a buffer and safety net than they do.”
And while mathematical models are helpful, researchers stress that models can’t replace actual experimentation. Ecological systems are just too complicated. “We have no experience engineering systems that are going to evolve outside of our control. We have never done that before,” Esvelt said. “So that’s why a lot of these modeling studies are important — they can give us a handle on what might happen. But I’m also hesitant to rely on modeling and trying to predict in advance when systems are so complicated.”
and a comment: Gene Partlow says:
September 8, 2016 at 11:20 pm
So far as I can tell, nobody has brought up the fact of lateral, ie: horizontal transmission of genetic material, a rich phenomenon which involves microbes and viruses. This is turning out to be important in evolutionary scenarios and must be considered in any Gene Drive research. We cannot control those pathways of genetic transfer in the wild environment.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/20160908-gene-drives-and-evolution/
That seems to be mostly speculation. I think they overestimate evolution, but we do know it is possible to Evolve to Extinction.
But even if it doesn’t work, we should still try of course. Eventually we will figure it out. And exterminating mosquitoes could be the greatest public health program of all time, so it’s worth whatever it takes. It could still be effective at temporarily reducing the population until they evolve resistance.