Read Dr. Brown’s article “Economic, Regulatory and International Implications of Gene Drives in Agriculture” in Choices

Agricultural pests, such as fruit flies and mosquitoes, cause billions of dollars in crops losses and spread life-threatening diseases, including malaria and Zika. Many researchers, including NC State IGERT students, are working to develop gene drives and gene editing techniques to control or eradicate these pests.

Dr. Zack Brown, NC State Associate Professor and GES Executive Committee member, discusses the risks and applications of this work, as well as the role of private industry.