he pursuit and development of novel biotechnologies to ameliorate otherwise intractable societal problems brings with it an equally urgent responsibility to ensure such technologies are used ethically. After the first CRISPR-based homing gene drives were developed in 2015, I provided guidance and input to a report prepared by the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine on laboratory containment and oversight of gene drive research, as well as to the J. Craig Venter Institute on challenges in governance. Since then, I have helped developed guidance for the development of standard operating procedures and containment recommendations, as well as outlined a risk assessment approach for insects modified to contain gene drive transgenes. As a member of the NExTRAC, I am currently working to provide additional recommendations to how NIH funds and oversees gene drive research. Additionally, in collaboration with the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the Bush School of Public Service, I am part of a NIFA-AFRI funded project to begin the process of determining important values related to the possible agricultural uses of gene drive technology in Texas.
Image credit: Z. Adelman