These scientists may be a little mad, but at least they're asking for guidance.
A Harvard research team has outlined a technology that could manipulate the genes of organisms in the wild--and they're calling for public comment on the risky idea, the Boston Globe reported.
Called a "gene drive," the high-stakes move would change the DNA of plants, insects and other organisms in the wild and could have a range of effects that include species extinction.
"We thought it was really kind of important to let the public know that we're pretty sure this is possible, given everything we know about molecular biology, before we present it as a fait accompli," said researcher Kevin Esvelt, a technology development fellow at Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, as quoted by the Globe.
Examples of how the gene "editing" could be used are making weeds more prone to dying from pesticides or stopping mosquitoes' ability to spread malaria. The technology could stem the spread of illness and also stop invasive species that are killing native wildlife.
Due to the dangerous nature of the technology, a larger group of scientists concurrently outlined 10 recommendations in Science as to how gene manipulation should be regulated.
"This is where I think the debate should start: You will have an opportunity to say, 'Do we really want to do this?' and if the answer is yes, what kind of systems do we have in place, what kind of safeguards," said Todd Kuiken, a senior program associate in science and technology innovation at the nonpartisan Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, who was involved in the work.
"I think scientists particularly need to understand there may be technologies that, once you debate them, the public may decide we don't want to move forward on this."
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