Summary
Genetic elements that bias inheritance to spread through a population, proposed to control disease vectors.
In depth
A drive allele is copied to the other chromosome in heterozygotes, so inheritance exceeds 50 percent. Proposed for suppressing Anopheles mosquitoes to fight malaria. Risks: ecological effects, spread across borders, irreversibility. Safeguards: self-limiting designs.
Homing drives rely on homology-directed repair in germline cells. Resistance alleles from non-homologous repair can stop spread. Field testing is staged with community consent.
Key idea: a gene drive overrides normal Mendelian inheritance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gene Drives?
Genetic elements that bias inheritance to spread through a population, proposed to control disease vectors.
Which area of biology covers Gene Drives, and how advanced is it?
Gene Drives is one of the 56 topics in Biotechnology & Genomics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Gene Therapy, Pharmacogenomics, Stem Cell Therapy.
Can you give an example of Gene Drives?
Target Malaria trials use sterility-based drives.
What should I learn before Gene Drives?
Work through the Beginner topics in Biotechnology & Genomics first, such as Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Selective Breeding, then return to Gene Drives. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Gene Drives?
The closest topics to Gene Drives are Gene Therapy, Pharmacogenomics, Stem Cell Therapy, RNA-Seq. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Gene Drives?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Gene Drives. To practise the whole of Biotechnology & Genomics, use the Biotechnology & Genomics quiz.
How is Gene Drives different from Gene Therapy?
Gene Drives: Genetic elements that bias inheritance to spread through a population, proposed to control disease vectors. Gene Therapy: Treating disease by introducing, repairing or replacing faulty genes in a patient's cells. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Gene Drives step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Gene Therapy and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Biotechnology & Genomics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.