News release

From:

New gene-editing technologies known as gene drives, which can spread specific genes through a population rapidly, are set to come into use in the next 3-5 years. Before they are adopted in Australia, the Australian Academy of Science has produced a report, to be released next week, in the hope of sparking a national discussion about the use and impacts of the technologies.

Gene drives allow scientists to manipulate the DNA of plants or animals in a way that forces or ‘drives’ the passing on of particular genetic traits and characteristics to future generations.

Scientific teams in Australia and Texas have already successfully engineered mice to give birth only to male offspring. This is meant to drive down mouse populations and is the first time a gene drive has been used in a mammal.

Gene drives could wipe out malaria-carrying mosquitoes, cane toads, or other pests and plant diseases within years, but like any new technology, there are potential risks.

The Academy report includes six recommendations for government and industry to consider before gene-drive technology is used in Australia and on a wider scale worldwide.

The briefing will discuss the following issues:

• Background information on gene drives and how they work
• How gene drives could be used to control pests and invasive species, including in agriculture
• Potential impacts on international trade and commercialisation
• Recommendations for how to keep the technology safe, ethical and accepted by the public

Speakers:

• Professor Ary Hoffmann is Head of a research group at the Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute at the University of Melbourne and is head of the discussion paper working group.
• Professor Ian Small is at the ARC Centre for Excellence in Plant Energy Biology and is its former Director.
  • Ian receives research funding from Limagrain, an international agricultural co-operative group, but that funding did not contribute to this project.
• Professor Rachel Ankeny is a Professor in the School of Humanities at the University of Adelaide.
  • Rachel receives research funding from the Australian Research Council for a project on the history/public understanding of genetic modification.

Date: Mon 01 May 2017
Start Time: 10:00am AEST
Duration: Approx 45 min
Venue: Online