Today’s gene-driving technologies may be mixed to control the number of invasive gray squirrels in the UK – with very few risks in other numbers, according to a new model published in the journal Scientific Reports.
CRISPR gene drivers may come to a squirrel near you
Gene drive is the process of introducing altered genes into a population capable of inducing infertility in women – allowing scientists to control population size. However, this mechanism has technical difficulties such as controlling the transmission of altered genes while certain animals that are part of the population drive a gene with unregulated numbers – as well as genetic conflict, which could reduce the effectiveness of gene driving efforts.
To overcome these issues, Nicky Faber and colleagues used computer modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of three gene-specific technologies – with the gray squirrel playing a key role in a case study.
The authors of the study found that the gene expression, called “? HD-ClvR?” they stopped a target population of gray squirrels, with little threat to other populations. This was done by combining parts with key benefits: Cleave-and-rescue, homing, and daisies.
Maintaining the balance of ecosystems
Cleave-and-rescue ensures that children do not develop anti-driving gene mutations. Homing ensures that altered genes are passed on to future generations, while Daisyfield reduces and limits the number of altered genes that one member of a species can pass on to the next. one – which ends around the target population.
The new findings show that HD-ClvR can effectively control invasive species without creating a significant threat to non-target native species.
However, the authors emphasized the need for caution – as HDClvR has not yet been tested in live animals. Scientifically, we are not yet in a position to genetically engineer the “animal kingdom”, where there are only the species we want, and only at the population densities we want. There may be an unexpected impact on the ecosystem with a sudden halt to gray squirrel numbers – so all potential impacts must be taken into account.
However, major measures such as genetic driving could become an essential tool for sculpting a continuous place in the world for humans, as the weather moves.
Genetic driving may be necessary to maintain ecosystems
A study in 2020 suggested that a large group of plants and animals could increase by 36% worldwide by 2050. The study suggested an average increase of 1,200 anthropod and bird species, worldwide.
“Our study predicts that alien species will continue to be added to ecosystems at high levels over the coming decades, which is a cause for concern as this could contribute to the change of harmful biodiversity and extinction, “the study ‘s co – author and Professor Tim Blackburn of the UCL Center for Biodiversity & Environmental Research and the Institute of Zoology, said in a UCL blog post.
With the huge increase in “alien” (or non-native) species around the world, scientists and engineers need to find new ways to change animal numbers if we are to maintain the normal balance of biodiversity. across species in specific regions. Naturally, reducing carbon emissions and adopting sustainable energy alternatives could delay migration and the introduction of new species into unprepared environments, but genetic driving could be a key driver. in maintaining a delicate balance of animal numbers.