RNAi-Based Pesticides: Genetic Innovations for Sustainable Crop Protection and One Health

Conventional chemical pesticides have long protected global crop yields, but their environmental and health impacts, including contamination, biodiversity loss, residue accumulation, and pest resistance, demand sustainable alternatives. RNA interference (RNAi) represents a genetic breakthrough in crop protection, enabling precise, sequence-specific silencing of essential pest genes via double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Innovations such as nanoparticle-based delivery, host-induced gene silencing (HIGS), and spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) have transformed RNAi into a practical, field-ready technology. Integration with multi-omics and computational biology accelerates target discovery and enhances specificity and scalability. Beyond pest management, RNAi applications extend to vector control and pollinator protection, exemplifying One Health principles. RNAi-based pesticides therefore, redefine sustainable agriculture through molecular precision and cross-sectoral genetic innovation.