The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has committed tens of millions in funding to scientists working on gene-editing technologies. The primary focus of the research will be gene drives, a technique capable of quickly spreading genetic modifications through populations of organisms. Gene drives could be used to fight malaria, for instance, by eradicating a specific kind of mosquito. There are, however, concerns over errors, or the accidental release of gene-drive organisms. DARPA has a Safe Genes initiative designed to temper the research on gene drives, but biosecurity is fast being outpaced by progress, according to Renee Wegrzyn, head of the initiative.
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has committed $65m in funding to scientists working on gene-editing technologies. The primary focus of the research will be gene drives, a technique capable of quickly spreading genetic modifications through populations of organisms. Gene drives could be used to fight malaria, for instance, by eradicating a specific kind of mosquito. There are, however, concerns over errors, or the accidental release of gene-drive organisms. DARPA has a Safe Genes initiative designed to temper the research on gene drives, but biosecurity is fast being outpaced by progress, according to Renee Wegrzyn, head of the initiative.