Review of gene drive modelling and implications for risk assessment of gene drive organisms

Background 

Synthetic gene drive (GD) systems constitute a form of novel invasive environmental biotechnology with far-reaching consequences beyond those of other known genetically modified organisms (GMOs). During the last 10 years, the development of GD systems has been closely linked to mathematical modelling which can provide feedback on how to achieve gene drive spread but also may be used to predict the ecological consequences of a gene drive release. GMOs, thus also GD systems, need to pass an environmental risk assessment (ERA) prior to a release into the environment. Models in this respect may play an important role because a release of GD organisms, even at a small scale, may not be reversible.

Frieß, J. L., Lalyer, C. R., Giese, B., Simon, S., & Otto, M. (2023). Review of gene drive modelling and implications for risk assessment of gene drive organisms. Ecological Modelling, 478, 110285.

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