1
|
Roberts AJ, Hackett K, Coche I, James SL, Littler K, Santos M, Emerson CI. Taking stock: Is gene drive research delivering on its principles? Gates Open Res 2024; 8:14. [PMID: 39035848 PMCID: PMC11259591 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.15323.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene drive technology has been recognized for its potential to provide durable and cost-effective solutions for previously intractable problems in public health, conservation, and agriculture. In recognition of the rapid advances in this field, in 2016 the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report making several recommendations aimed at researchers, funders, and policymakers for the safe and responsible research and development of gene drive technology. Subsequently, in 2017 sixteen global organizations self-identifying as sponsors and supporters of gene drive research became public signatories committed to the 'Principles for Gene Drive Research' which were inspired by the report's recommendations. Herein we reflect on the progress of gene drive research in relation to the ethical principles laid out and committed to by the signatories to the Principles. Our analysis indicates high levels of alignment with the Principles in the field of gene drive research. The manuscript also discusses the Gene Drive Research Forum, which had its genesis in the publication of the Principles. Discussions between participants at the latest meeting of the Forum point to the work that lies ahead for gene drive research in line with the Principles. Going forward the gene drive research community can productively focus on: i) safety and efficacy criteria for open release, ii) risk assessment frameworks and methods, iii) more downstream technical, regulatory and policy considerations for field evaluations and implementation, iv) continued transparency and developing mechanisms of accountability, and v) strengthening capacity in locales of potential release and expected drive spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J. Roberts
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Kristy Hackett
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | | | - Stephanie L. James
- GeneConvene Global Collaborative, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Katherine Littler
- Global Health Ethics & Governance Unit, Research for Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Santos
- GeneConvene Global Collaborative, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Claudia I. Emerson
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
James SL, Quemada H, Benedict MQ, Dass B. Requirements for market entry of gene drive-modified mosquitoes for control of vector-borne diseases: analogies to other biologic and biotechnology products. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1205865. [PMID: 37362219 PMCID: PMC10285705 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1205865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMMs) are proposed as new tools for control and elimination of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, and promising results have been observed from testing conducted in containment. Although still at an early stage of development, it is important to begin now to consider approval procedures and market entry strategies for the eventual implementation of GDMMs in the context of disease control programs, as these could impact future research plans. It is expected that, as for other types of new products, those seeking to bring GDMMs to market will be required to provide sufficient information to allow the regulator(s) to determine whether the product is safe and effective for its proposed use. There already has been much emphasis on developing requirements for the biosafety components of the "safe and effective" benchmark, largely concerned with their regulation as genetically modified organisms. Other potential approval requirements have received little attention, however. Although GDMMs are expected to be implemented primarily in the context of public health programs, any regulatory analogies to other public health products, such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or chemical pesticides, must take into account the characteristics of live mosquito products. Typical manufacturing standards related to product identity, potency or quality will need to be adapted to GDMMs. Valuable lessons can be drawn from the regulatory approval processes for other whole organism and genetically modified (GM) organism products. Supply chain requirements, such as scale of production, location and design of production facilities, and methods of distribution and delivery, will be dependent upon the characteristics of the particular GDMM product, the conditions of use, and the region to be served. Plans for fulfilling supply chain needs can build upon experience in the development of other live insect products for use in public health and agriculture. Implementation of GDMMs would benefit from additional research on enabling technologies for long-term storage of mosquito life stages, efficient mass production, and area-wide delivery of GDMMs. Early consideration of these practical requirements for market entry will help to mitigate downstream delays in the development of these promising new technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L. James
- GeneConvene Global Collaborative, Foundation for the NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Brinda Dass
- GeneConvene Global Collaborative, Foundation for the NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
James S, Santos M. The Promise and Challenge of Genetic Biocontrol Approaches for Malaria Elimination. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:201. [PMID: 37104327 PMCID: PMC10140850 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains an ongoing public health challenge, with over 600,000 deaths in 2021, of which approximately 96% occurred in Africa. Despite concerted efforts, the goal of global malaria elimination has stalled in recent years. This has resulted in widespread calls for new control methods. Genetic biocontrol approaches, including those focused on gene-drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMMs), aim to prevent malaria transmission by either reducing the population size of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes or making the mosquitoes less competent to transmit the malaria parasite. The development of both strategies has advanced considerably in recent years, with successful field trials of several biocontrol methods employing live mosquito products and demonstration of the efficacy of GDMMs in insectary-based studies. Live mosquito biocontrol products aim to achieve area-wide control with characteristics that differ substantially from current insecticide-based vector control methods, resulting in some different considerations for approval and implementation. The successful field application of current biocontrol technologies against other pests provides evidence for the promise of these approaches and insights into the development pathway for new malaria control agents. The status of technical development as well as current thinking on the implementation requirements for genetic biocontrol approaches are reviewed, and remaining challenges for public health application in malaria prevention are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie James
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD 20852, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Regulatory and policy considerations for the implementation of gene drive-modified mosquitoes to prevent malaria transmission. Transgenic Res 2023; 32:17-32. [PMID: 36920721 PMCID: PMC10102045 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-023-00335-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Gene drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMMs) are being developed as possible new tools to prevent transmission of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. To date no GDMMs have yet undergone field testing. This early stage is an opportune time for developers, supporters, and possible users to begin to consider the potential regulatory requirements for eventual implementation of these technologies in national or regional public health programs, especially as some of the practical implications of these requirements may take considerable planning, time and coordination to address. Several currently unresolved regulatory questions pertinent to the implementation of GDMMs are examined, including: how the product will be defined; what the registration/approval process will be for placing new GDMM products on the market; how the potential for transboundary movement of GDMMs can be addressed; and what role might be played by existing multinational bodies and agreements in authorization decisions. Regulation and policies applied for registration of other genetically modified organisms or other living mosquito products are assessed for relevance to the use case of GDMMs to prevent malaria in Africa. Multiple national authorities are likely to be involved in decision-making, according to existing laws in place within each country for certain product classes. Requirements under the Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity will be considered relevant in most countries, as may existing regulatory frameworks for conventional pesticide, medical, and biocontrol products. Experience suggests that standard regulatory processes, evidence requirements, and liability laws differ from country to country. Regional mechanisms will be useful to address some of the important challenges.
Collapse
|
5
|
Tonui WK, Ahuja V, Beech CJ, Connolly JB, Dass B, Glandorf DCM, James S, Muchiri JN, Mugoya CF, Okoree EA, Quemada H, Romeis J. Points to consider in seeking biosafety approval for research, testing, and environmental release of experimental genetically modified biocontrol products during research and development. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:607-623. [PMID: 36194213 PMCID: PMC9531641 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00311-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Novel genetically modified biological control products (referred to as "GM biocontrol products") are being considered to address a range of complex problems in public health, conservation, and agriculture, including preventing the transmission of vector-borne parasitic and viral diseases as well as the spread of invasive plant and animal species. These interventions involve release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment, sometimes with intentional dissemination of the modification within the local population of the targeted species, which presents new challenges and opportunities for regulatory review and decision-making. Practices developed for GMOs, primarily applied to date for GM crops may need to be adapted to accommodate different types of organisms, such as insects, and different technologies, such as gene drive. Developers of new GM biocontrol products would benefit from an early understanding of safety data and information that are likely to be required within the regulatory dossier for regulatory evaluation and decision making. Here a generalizable tool drawing from existing GM crop dossier requirements, forms, and relevant experience is proposed to assist researchers and developers organize and plan their research and trialing. This tool requires considering specifics of each investigational product, their intended use, and country specific requirements at various phases of potential product development, from laboratory research through contained field testing and experimental release into the environment. This may also be helpful to risk assessors and regulators in supporting their systematic and rigorous evaluation of new biocontrol products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W K Tonui
- Environmental Health Safety Consultancy Ltd., Office 10D, Sifa Towers, Lenana/ Cotton Avenue Junction, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - V Ahuja
- Biotech Consortium India Limited, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - B Dass
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - D C M Glandorf
- GMO Office, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - S James
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J N Muchiri
- National Biosafety Authority, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - E A Okoree
- National Biosafety Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - H Quemada
- Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - J Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wise IJ, Borry P. An Ethical Overview of the CRISPR-Based Elimination of Anopheles gambiae to Combat Malaria. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2022; 19:371-380. [PMID: 35175513 PMCID: PMC9463432 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-022-10172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Approximately a quarter of a billion people around the world suffer from malaria each year. Most cases are located in sub-Saharan Africa where Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes are the principal vectors of this public health problem. With the use of CRISPR-based gene drives, the population of mosquitoes can be modified, eventually causing their extinction. First, we discuss the moral status of the organism and argue that using genetically modified mosquitoes to combat malaria should not be abandoned based on some moral value of A. gambiae. Secondly, we argue that environmental impact studies should be performed to obtain an accurate account of the possible effects of a potential eradication of the organism. However, the risks from the purposeful extinction of A. gambiae should not overtake the benefits of eradicating malaria and risk assessments should be used to determine acceptable risks. Thirdly, we argue that the eventual release of the genetically modified mosquitoes will depend on transparency, community involvement, and cooperation between different nations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- India Jane Wise
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law (CBMER), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box, 7001 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law (CBMER), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box, 7001 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Larval mosquito management and risk to aquatic ecosystems: A comparative approach including current tactics and gene-drive Anopheles techniques. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:489-504. [PMID: 35798930 PMCID: PMC9489571 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00315-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Genetic engineering of mosquitoes represents a promising tactic for reducing human suffering from malaria. Gene-drive techniques being developed that suppress or modify populations of Anopheles gambiae have the potential to be used with, or even possibly obviate, microbial and synthetic insecticides. However, these techniques are new and therefore there is attendant concern and uncertainty from regulators, policymakers, and the public about their environmental risks. Therefore, there is a need to assist decision-makers and public health stewards by assessing the risks associated with these newer mosquito management tactics so the risks can be compared as a basis for informed decision making. Previously, the effect of gene-drive mosquitoes on water quality in Africa was identified as a concern by stakeholders. Here, we use a comparative risk assessment approach for the effect of gene-drive mosquitoes on water quality in Africa. We compare the use of existing larvicides and the proposed genetic techniques in aquatic environments. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the tactic of gene-drive Anopheles for malaria management is unlikely to result in risks to aquatic environments that exceed current tactics for larval mosquitoes. As such, these new techniques would likely comply with currently recommended safety standards.
Collapse
|
8
|
St. Leger RJ. From the Lab to the Last Mile: Deploying Transgenic Approaches Against Mosquitoes. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.804066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ingenious exploitation of transgenic approaches to produce malaria resistant or sterile mosquitoes, or hypervirulent mosquito pathogens, has produced many potential solutions to vector borne diseases. However, in spite of technological feasibility, it has not been determined how well these new methods will work, and how they should be tested and regulated. Some self-limiting transgenic fungal pathogens and mosquitoes are almost field ready, and may be easier to regulate than self-sustaining strategies. However, they require repeat sales and so must show business viability; low-cost mass production is just one of a number of technical constraints that are sometimes treated as an afterthought in technology deployment. No transgenic self-sustaining approach to anopheline control has ever been deployed because of unresolved ethical, social and regulatory issues. These overlapping issues include: 1) the transparency challenge, which requires public discourse, particularly in Africa where releases are proposed, to determine what society is willing to risk given the potential benefits; 2) the transboundary challenge, self-sustaining mosquitoes or pathogens are potentially capable of crossing national boundaries and irreversibly altering ecosystems, and 3) the risk assessment challenge. The polarized debate as to whether these technologies will ever be used to save lives is ongoing; they will founder without a political answer as to how do we interpret the precautionary principle, as exemplified in the Cartagena protocol, in the global context of technological changes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Girardin L, Débarre F. Demographic feedbacks can hamper the spatial spread of a gene drive. J Math Biol 2021; 83:67. [PMID: 34862932 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-021-01702-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This paper is concerned with a reaction-diffusion system modeling the fixation and the invasion in a population of a gene drive (an allele biasing inheritance, increasing its own transmission to offspring). In our model, the gene drive has a negative effect on the fitness of individuals carrying it, and is therefore susceptible of decreasing the total carrying capacity of the population locally in space. This tends to generate an opposing demographic advection that the gene drive has to overcome in order to invade. While previous reaction-diffusion models neglected this aspect, here we focus on it and try to predict the sign of the traveling wave speed. It turns out to be an analytical challenge, only partial results being within reach, and we complete our theoretical analysis by numerical simulations. Our results indicate that taking into account the interplay between population dynamics and population genetics might actually be crucial, as it can effectively reverse the direction of the invasion and lead to failure. Our findings can be extended to other bistable systems, such as the spread of cytoplasmic incompatibilities caused by Wolbachia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Léo Girardin
- CNRS, Institut Camille Jordan, Université Claude Bernard Lyon-1, 43 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France.
| | - Florence Débarre
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Est Creteil, INRAE, IRD, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Paris, IEES-Paris, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Legros M, Marshall JM, Macfadyen S, Hayes KR, Sheppard A, Barrett LG. Gene drive strategies of pest control in agricultural systems: Challenges and opportunities. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2162-2178. [PMID: 34603490 PMCID: PMC8477592 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Legros
- CSIRO Agriculture and FoodCanberraACTAustralia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science PlatformCanberraACTAustralia
| | - John M. Marshall
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology – School of Public HealthUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | | | | | | | - Luke G. Barrett
- CSIRO Agriculture and FoodCanberraACTAustralia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science PlatformCanberraACTAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Connolly JB, Mumford JD, Fuchs S, Turner G, Beech C, North AR, Burt A. Systematic identification of plausible pathways to potential harm via problem formulation for investigational releases of a population suppression gene drive to control the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae in West Africa. Malar J 2021; 20:170. [PMID: 33781254 PMCID: PMC8006393 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population suppression gene drive has been proposed as a strategy for malaria vector control. A CRISPR-Cas9-based transgene homing at the doublesex locus (dsxFCRISPRh) has recently been shown to increase rapidly in frequency in, and suppress, caged laboratory populations of the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae. Here, problem formulation, an initial step in environmental risk assessment (ERA), was performed for simulated field releases of the dsxFCRISPRh transgene in West Africa. METHODS Building on consultative workshops in Africa that previously identified relevant environmental and health protection goals for ERA of gene drive in malaria vector control, 8 potentially harmful effects from these simulated releases were identified. These were stratified into 46 plausible pathways describing the causal chain of events that would be required for potential harms to occur. Risk hypotheses to interrogate critical steps in each pathway, and an analysis plan involving experiments, modelling and literature review to test each of those risk hypotheses, were developed. RESULTS Most potential harms involved increased human (n = 13) or animal (n = 13) disease transmission, emphasizing the importance to subsequent stages of ERA of data on vectorial capacity comparing transgenics to non-transgenics. Although some of the pathways (n = 14) were based on known anatomical alterations in dsxFCRISPRh homozygotes, many could also be applicable to field releases of a range of other transgenic strains of mosquito (n = 18). In addition to population suppression of target organisms being an accepted outcome for existing vector control programmes, these investigations also revealed that the efficacy of population suppression caused by the dsxFCRISPRh transgene should itself directly affect most pathways (n = 35). CONCLUSIONS Modelling will play an essential role in subsequent stages of ERA by clarifying the dynamics of this relationship between population suppression and reduction in exposure to specific potential harms. This analysis represents a comprehensive identification of plausible pathways to potential harm using problem formulation for a specific gene drive transgene and organism, and a transparent communication tool that could inform future regulatory studies, guide subsequent stages of ERA, and stimulate further, broader engagement on the use of population suppression gene drive to control malaria vectors in West Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John B Connolly
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - John D Mumford
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Silke Fuchs
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Geoff Turner
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ace R North
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Austin Burt
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Naegeli H, Bresson J, Dalmay T, Dewhurst IC, Epstein MM, Guerche P, Hejatko J, Moreno FJ, Mullins E, Nogué F, Rostoks N, Sánchez Serrano JJ, Savoini G, Veromann E, Veronesi F, Bonsall MB, Mumford J, Wimmer EA, Devos Y, Paraskevopoulos K, Firbank LG. Adequacy and sufficiency evaluation of existing EFSA guidelines for the molecular characterisation, environmental risk assessment and post-market environmental monitoring of genetically modified insects containing engineered gene drives. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06297. [PMID: 33209154 PMCID: PMC7658669 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in molecular and synthetic biology are enabling the engineering of gene drives in insects for disease vector/pest control. Engineered gene drives (that bias their own inheritance) can be designed either to suppress interbreeding target populations or modify them with a new genotype. Depending on the engineered gene drive system, theoretically, a genetic modification of interest could spread through target populations and persist indefinitely, or be restricted in its spread or persistence. While research on engineered gene drives and their applications in insects is advancing at a fast pace, it will take several years for technological developments to move to practical applications for deliberate release into the environment. Some gene drive modified insects (GDMIs) have been tested experimentally in the laboratory, but none has been assessed in small-scale confined field trials or in open release trials as yet. There is concern that the deliberate release of GDMIs in the environment may have possible irreversible and unintended consequences. As a proactive measure, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been requested by the European Commission to review whether its previously published guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically modified animals (EFSA, 2012 and 2013), including insects (GMIs), are adequate and sufficient for GDMIs, primarily disease vectors, agricultural pests and invasive species, for deliberate release into the environment. Under this mandate, EFSA was not requested to develop risk assessment guidelines for GDMIs. In this Scientific Opinion, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) concludes that EFSA's guidelines are adequate, but insufficient for the molecular characterisation (MC), environmental risk assessment (ERA) and post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) of GDMIs. While the MC,ERA and PMEM of GDMIs can build on the existing risk assessment framework for GMIs that do not contain engineered gene drives, there are specific areas where further guidance is needed for GDMIs.
Collapse
|