Species can be engineered to drive intentional extinction
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 75/100
Current genetic engineering techniques, particularly CRISPR-based gene drives, are specifically designed and modeled to bias inheritance and drive targeted species populations toward suppression or intentional extinction.
Evidence for · 11
Gene-drive-capable mosquitoes suppress patient-derived malaria in Tanzania.
2026 · cited by 0
Paper 0 describes engineering mosquitoes with gene drives to suppress vector populations and combat malaria.
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More for · 10
Gene-drive-mediated extinction is thwarted by population structure and evolution of sib mating.
2019 · cited by 0
Paper 1 models gene-drive technologies specifically designed to cause population extinction in species.
A suppression-modification gene drive for malaria control targeting the ultra-conserved RNA gene mir-184.
2025 · cited by 0
Paper 2 demonstrates homing gene drives in mosquitoes designed to suppress populations and reduce transmission.
Spatial structure undermines parasite suppression by gene drive cargo.
2019 · cited by 0
Paper 3 discusses the use of gene drives to directly depress vector numbers, potentially to extinction.
Leveraging a natural murine meiotic drive to suppress invasive populations.
2022 · cited by 0
Paper 4 demonstrates an engineered gene drive strategy (tCRISPR) capable of eradicating invasive mouse populations.
Gene drives for vertebrate pest control: Realistic spatial modelling of eradication probabilities and times for island mouse populations.
2022 · cited by 0
Paper 6 models CRISPR-based drives to evaluate their capacity to eradicate invasive mouse populations on islands.
The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps.
2020 · cited by 0
Paper 7 examines a CRISPR gene drive targeting spermatogenesis to control invasive wasp populations.
A Code of Ethics for Gene Drive Research.
2021 · cited by 0
Paper 8 notes that gene drives hold promise for controlling insect vectors, agricultural pests, and invasive species.
Gene drives for invasive wasp control: Extinction is unlikely, with suppression dependent on dispersal and growth rates.
2023 · cited by 0
Paper 9 analyzes the potential of gene drives for pest suppression and eradication.
Genetic Approaches for Controlling CRISPR-based Autonomous Homing Gene Drives.
2022 · cited by 0
Paper 10 discusses autonomous homing gene drives designed to eliminate vector-borne diseases and pests.
Gene drives in our future: challenges of and opportunities for using a self-sustaining technology in pest and vector management.
2018 · cited by 0
Paper 11 explains how gene drives use biased inheritance to spread sequences through populations for pest and vector management.