Seeing the upside in gene drives’ fatal flaw
Inevitable destructive mutations could be used to prevent genetic-engineering tool from running amok
![Mosquito mutations](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/071516_ti_gene-drive-story_free.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
BRAKE AWAY Gene drives cut DNA and paste themselves into an organisms’ genes. This ability enables them to be inherited by a majority of offspring, instead of the 50 percent chance a regular gene has of being passed on to the next generation. Mutations may stop gene drives’ spread, and that might be a good thing, some researchers say.
M. Telfer