A Comparative Assessment of Self-limiting Genetic Control Strategies for Population Suppression

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Genetics
• Pest Management

Background:

• Genetic control strategies like sterile insect technique (SIT) and release of insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL) are established methods for pest and invasive species control.
• While various genetic control methods exist, detailed comparative assessments, especially for newer strategies, are lacking.
• Self-limiting gene drives and gene disruptors represent promising, controllable, and biosafety-assured genetic control approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a thorough comparative assessment of self-limiting genetic control strategies.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of repeated male releases in enhancing gene drive suppression power.
• To propose a quantitative metric for evaluating genetic control strategies independent of ecological impact.

Main Methods:

• Utilized individual-based simulation models to compare self-limiting genetic control strategies.
• Assessed the impact of repeated releases on weak and self-limiting gene drives.
• Introduced and validated the 'constant-population genetic load' as a predictive metric.

Main Results:

• Repeated releases significantly boost the population suppression power of self-limiting gene drives, even with low efficiency and high fitness costs.
• Dominant female sterility enhances self-limiting systems, and some strategies demonstrate high persistence with low release ratios.
• The proposed constant-population genetic load accurately predicts simulation outcomes for most strategies (over 95% accuracy).

Conclusions:

• New self-limiting genetic control strategies are safe, flexible, and more cost-effective than traditional SIT and RIDL.
• These advanced strategies hold significant potential for effective population suppression of insects and other pests.
• Repeated releases and dominant female sterility are key factors in optimizing the performance of genetic control systems.