What is gene drive?

Gene drive is a both a naturally occurring process and a genetic engineering technique that drives the inheritance of a desirable trait among successive generations of sexually reproductive organisms. This technique has the potential to rapidly spread a particular set of genes through a population. Gene drive technologies are currently being explored as a mechanism for suppressing the transmission of vector-borne diseases and the control of invasive species in fragile ecosystems. The application of gene drives to mosquito vectors for the control malaria is undergoing extensive research and is being explored as a potential strategy for reducing the disease burden for the millions at risk of malaria across the globe, the majority of whom reside in Africa.