New research shows that a more effective method of genetic engineering could be used to eradicate or manipulate entire, wild populations of harmful species rather than simply small, managed populations, as is currently the case. The research,* to be published in Proceedings B, a learned journal produced by the Royal Society, shows in computer simulations how a single, ’selfish’ gene could be used to infect the host and eliminate ’problem’ genes, for example a gene allowing mosquitoes to transmit malaria. The research also presents an opportunity to debate the criteria to be considered in deciding whether to eradicate or engineer an entire species, according to scientist, Dr Austin Burt.

Through the use of a single, ’selfish’ gene, only a few individuals need to be released to eradicate or manipulate a total, wild population in less than 20 generations. “Genetic engineering has been successfully used with small, contained populations, but this technology has implications that could affect natural populations across continents,” says Dr Burt.

“The next step is to show whether this could work in a model organism such as the fruit fly, in the laboratory,” he says. “The research has significant consequences for species that harm humans such as those that cause and transmit disease and destroy crops. Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are an obvious species, as are tsetse flies that carry African sleeping sickness. Although it is only a relatively small number of species, the suffering they cause is great and while this technology is not to be used lightly, it shouldn’t be ignored either,” he says.

Previous genetic engineering strategies have well-known, inherent weaknesses, due to the quantity of engineered individuals required for the release of sterile males into a population or the mutations that inevitably occur with the gene coupling strategy. “I believe this to be a much more robust strategy and one that deserves serious and wide-ranging discussion,” concludes Dr Burt.

*Site-specific selfish genes as tools for the control and genetic engineering of natural populations, by Dr A Burt.