Resistance to CRISPR gene drives may arise easily
Fruit fly experiments show hurdles remain before gene-editor can be used to control disease, pests
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
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.