Daily Current Affairs : 13-September-2023

Gene-drive technology, a revolutionary form of genetic engineering, has garnered considerable attention in recent years for its potential to address critical global health challenges. It aims to modify genes within populations in a way that departs from traditional Mendelian genetics. This essay explores the concept of gene-drive technology, its applications, and recent advancements that hold promise for combatting diseases like malaria.

About Gene-Drive Technology

Gene-drive technology, originally conceived by Professor Austin Burt of Imperial College London, represents a groundbreaking approach to genetic modification. Unlike conventional genetics, where genes follow Mendel’s laws of inheritance, gene-drive technology selectively manipulates the inheritance of specific genes within populations. This innovation opens the door to various applications, one of which is the control of nuisance species like malaria-causing mosquitoes.

Key Features of Gene-Drive Technology
  • Selective Inheritance: Unlike traditional genetics, where genes have a 50% chance of being passed on, gene-drive technology ensures that a particular gene is almost certain to be inherited by the offspring.
  • Precision Editing: This technology employs a protein that cleaves the mosquito’s DNA at a specific location without encoding any specific sequence in the genome. This action triggers the cell’s natural repair mechanism, resulting in the incorporation of a drive sequence into the damaged DNA segment.
Recent Developments

Researchers at Imperial College London have made significant strides in advancing gene-drive technology for malaria control. They have engineered a gene expressed in the midgut of mosquitoes to secrete two antimicrobial substances, magainin 2 and melittin. These substances have proven detrimental to the Plasmodium parasite’s development within the mosquito’s midgut and reduce the lifespan of female mosquitoes, thus hindering the transmission of malaria.

The Promise of Disrupting Malaria Transmission
  • Antimicrobial Mechanism: The antimicrobial substances secreted by the engineered gene interfere with the development of the malaria parasite within the mosquito’s midgut, making it harder for the parasite to reach the stage where it can infect humans.
  • Reduced Mosquito Lifespan: Shortened lifespan in female mosquitoes limits their ability to bite humans and transmit the disease.
  • Computational Modeling Studies: These studies have indicated that this gene-drive approach could significantly disrupt malaria transmission. It presents a promising strategy to combat this deadly disease.
Global Significance

The development of gene-drive technology for malaria control holds immense global significance, especially in regions where malaria is endemic. Here are some key implications:

  • Reducing Disease Burden: By curbing the transmission of malaria, gene-drive technology has the potential to reduce the disease burden significantly, saving countless lives.
  • Cost-Effective Solutions: Once perfected and implemented, this technology could offer a cost-effective solution for malaria control, reducing the need for costly insecticide spraying and bed nets.
  • Environmental Impact: Targeted genetic modification of mosquitoes could potentially be more environmentally friendly than widespread chemical interventions.

Important Points:

Gene-Drive Technology:

  • Revolutionary genetic engineering method designed to modify genes within populations.
  • Developed by Professor Austin Burt of Imperial College London.
  • Departs from traditional Mendelian genetics, ensuring selective inheritance of specific genes.
  • Offers applications for controlling nuisance species, including malaria-causing mosquitoes.

Recent Developments:

  • Researchers at Imperial College London have enhanced gene-drive technology by engineering a gene that secretes antimicrobial substances in mosquitoes’ midguts.
  • These antimicrobial substances (magainin 2 and melittin) hinder the development of the Plasmodium parasite and reduce the lifespan of female mosquitoes.
  • Computational modeling studies suggest this approach could significantly disrupt malaria transmission.

Global Significance:

  • Potential to reduce the burden of malaria in endemic regions.
  • Offers a cost-effective solution for malaria control.
  • Could be more environmentally friendly compared to widespread chemical interventions.
  • Raises ethical and safety concerns but presents immense potential for saving lives and reducing disease burden.
Why In News

Gene-drive technology has been successfully applied in India, Brazil, and Panama to genetically manipulate mosquitoes under tightly controlled outdoor conditions, paving the way for innovative solutions to combat mosquito-borne diseases. These groundbreaking experiments represent a significant step forward in our ability to address vector-borne health threats in diverse ecosystems.

MCQs about Gene-Drive Technology

  1. What is the primary goal of gene-drive technology?
    A) To eliminate mosquitoes from the ecosystem
    B) To selectively manipulate genes within populations
    C) To control the spread of malaria through vaccines
    D) To improve the lifespan of female mosquitoes
    Correct Answer: B) To selectively manipulate genes within populations
    Explanation: The primary goal of gene-drive technology is to selectively manipulate genes within populations, departing from traditional Mendelian genetics. This technology offers various applications, including controlling nuisance species like malaria-causing mosquitoes.
  2. What recent development in gene-drive technology is discussed in the essay?
    A) The use of gene-drive technology to eliminate all mosquitoes
    B) Engineering genes to secrete antimicrobial substances in mosquitoes
    C) The development of a malaria vaccine
    D) Using gene-drive technology to create genetically modified humans
    Correct Answer: B) Engineering genes to secrete antimicrobial substances in mosquitoes
    Explanation: The recent development discussed in the essay involves engineering genes in mosquitoes to secrete antimicrobial substances (magainin 2 and melittin), which hinder the development of the malaria parasite within the mosquito’s midgut and reduce the lifespan of female mosquitoes.
  3. What is one potential environmental advantage of gene-drive technology for malaria control?
    A) It eliminates all mosquitoes, reducing their impact on ecosystems.
    B) It uses chemical interventions to control mosquitoes, which are eco-friendly.
    C) It offers a cost-effective solution but has no environmental benefits.
    D) It can be more environmentally friendly than widespread chemical interventions.
    Correct Answer: D) It can be more environmentally friendly than widespread chemical interventions.
    Explanation: One potential environmental advantage of gene-drive technology is that it can be more environmentally friendly than widespread chemical interventions, as it involves targeted genetic modification of mosquitoes rather than the extensive use of chemicals.
  4. Why is responsible research and implementation emphasized in the essay regarding gene-drive technology?
    A) To increase the lifespan of mosquitoes
    B) To ensure that all mosquitoes are eliminated
    C) Due to ethical and safety concerns associated with the technology
    D) To speed up the implementation of the technology
    Correct Answer: C) Due to ethical and safety concerns associated with the technology
    Explanation: Responsible research and implementation are emphasized in the essay due to ethical and safety concerns associated with gene-drive technology. While it holds promise for malaria control, there are important ethical considerations that need to be addressed to ensure its safe and responsible use.

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