News Genetics

Resistance to CRISPR gene drives may arise easily

Fruit fly experiments show hurdles remain before gene-editor can be used to control disease, pests

fruit flies

RED FLAG A new genetic technology called gene drives may be easily thwarted, experiments with fruit flies suggest. The red flies shown here inherited a gene drive carrying a red fluorescent protein.

Jackson Champer

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

A genetic-engineering tool designed to spread through a population like wildfire — eradicating disease and even whole invasive species — might be more easily thwarted than thought.