Introduction
Gene drives are a controversial new invention made to affect genes of a species, which can potentially eliminate animal spread diseases. A gene drive refers to a genetic system that manipulates a gene, guaranteeing all offspring to contain a certain dominant trait. As the trait is dominant it eventually spreads throughout the whole species, allowing them to all contain the manipulated trait. Scientists have designed this in order to eliminate mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and Zika virus, but also to control species invasion. However, as gene drives are extremely effective, an accidental release could have wide spread repercussions on the ecosystem. There are also various limitations involved with using a gene drive, …show more content…
Mosquito transmitted diseases such as Zika and malaria can be potentially become extinct due to the introduction of gene drives. With Zika virus spreading rapidly throughout third world countries, using a gene drive can contain this disease within a year (Antonio Regalado. 2016.). As mosquitos reproduce quickly, they can pass down the Zika cancelling gene and eventually allow all new generations to possess it. It is evident that if there is no more Zika gene, then the virus will become extent. Thousands of people in the world have been affected by Zika, leaving their children to be born with microcephaly, a birth defect causing a baby’s head to be abnormally small (CDC.gov. 2016.). This causes further implications in life and can even cause loss of life. Using a gene drive to prevent this disease would allow families to have healthy children. Malaria is another mosquito transmitted disease, which invades red blood cells and can be potentially life-threatening (Healthline. 2016). Mosquitos can be engineered with a gene that is resistant to the malaria parasite, therefore allowing them to no longer contain the ability to spread the disease to humans (Nature News & Comment. 2016). 1000 people a day are affected by malaria, in a year this number can be reduced to 0 due to a gene drive (Jennifer Kahn. 2016). Using a gene drive on a fast reproducing species such as mosquitos, will provide altered genes to spread quickly and effectively, allowing these deadly diseases to be
Gene drives are a controversial new invention made to affect genes of a species, which can potentially eliminate animal spread diseases. A gene drive refers to a genetic system that manipulates a gene, guaranteeing all offspring to contain a certain dominant trait. As the trait is dominant it eventually spreads throughout the whole species, allowing them to all contain the manipulated trait. Scientists have designed this in order to eliminate mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and Zika virus, but also to control species invasion. However, as gene drives are extremely effective, an accidental release could have wide spread repercussions on the ecosystem. There are also various limitations involved with using a gene drive, …show more content…
Mosquito transmitted diseases such as Zika and malaria can be potentially become extinct due to the introduction of gene drives. With Zika virus spreading rapidly throughout third world countries, using a gene drive can contain this disease within a year (Antonio Regalado. 2016.). As mosquitos reproduce quickly, they can pass down the Zika cancelling gene and eventually allow all new generations to possess it. It is evident that if there is no more Zika gene, then the virus will become extent. Thousands of people in the world have been affected by Zika, leaving their children to be born with microcephaly, a birth defect causing a baby’s head to be abnormally small (CDC.gov. 2016.). This causes further implications in life and can even cause loss of life. Using a gene drive to prevent this disease would allow families to have healthy children. Malaria is another mosquito transmitted disease, which invades red blood cells and can be potentially life-threatening (Healthline. 2016). Mosquitos can be engineered with a gene that is resistant to the malaria parasite, therefore allowing them to no longer contain the ability to spread the disease to humans (Nature News & Comment. 2016). 1000 people a day are affected by malaria, in a year this number can be reduced to 0 due to a gene drive (Jennifer Kahn. 2016). Using a gene drive on a fast reproducing species such as mosquitos, will provide altered genes to spread quickly and effectively, allowing these deadly diseases to be