'Gene Drive' for malaria control

Scientists at Wyss Institute of Harvard Medical School have been working on a genetic emerging technology called 'Gene Drive' which may effectively help combat malaria and other insect-borne diseases, control invasive species and promote sustainable agriculture. The researchers have developed a powerful new genome editing tool called CRISPR/Cas9 which would allow scientists to precisely insert, replace, delete, or regulate genes in different sexually reproducing species. The genetic alternations so done would be spread to future generations and ultimately to the entire population of targeted organisms. These altered species would no longer be capable of spreading diseases in humans, animals and plants. Humans would get rid of certain dreadful insect- borne diseases like malaria spread by mosquitoes. Through application of gene drive technology, animals and plants would be protected against pest and weeds infestation.

Every invention has good as well as bad effects. So scientists at Harvard now are seeking public opinion plus authority's decision to go ahead with the new technology. In my opinion, gene drive should be given a green signal to move forward in the greater interest of the human beings with restrictions of its application on natural human inheritance process.

Professor M Zahidul Haque
Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System, SAU, Dhaka