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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Small-Cage Laboratory Trials of Genetically-Engineered Anopheline Mosquitoes
Published on: May 1, 2021
Gene drive in species complexes: defining target organisms
John B Connolly1, Jörg Romeis2, Yann Devos3
1Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Buckhurst Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, SL5 7PY, UK.
Abstract:
Engineered gene drives, which bias their own inheritance to increase in frequency in target populations, are being developed to control mosquito malaria vectors. Such mosquitoes can belong to complexes of both vector and nonvector species that can produce fertile interspecific hybrids, making vertical gene drive transfer (VGDT) to sibling species biologically plausible. While VGDT to other vectors could positively impact human health protection goals, VGDT to nonvectors might challenge biodiversity ones. Therefore, environmental risk assessment of gene drive use in species complexes invites more nuanced considerations of target organisms and nontarget organisms than for transgenes not intended to increase in frequency in target populations. Incorporating the concept of target species complexes offers more flexibility when assessing potential impacts from VGDT.
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