New Policy Brief Calls for Science-based and Case-by-case Risk Assessment of Gene Drives

ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, launched a policy brief that tackles the importance of science-based and case-by-case risk assessment for gene drives.

The policy brief, titled Risk Assessment for Gene Drive Organisms, is the first of a series that aims to present proposed policy options that address issues relating to gene drive technology. The following questions were answered in the first policy brief:

• What is a risk assessment?
• Who oversees gene drive research?
• Are we ready to assess the risk and benefits from gene drive technologies?

Explaining the importance of the policy brief, Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, ISAAA Inc. Executive Director, said, “The release of this policy brief is timely. Compared to other gene technologies, gene drive is fairly new, and it would be best to discuss the issues surrounding the technology as early as possible. We hope that this brief contributes to the policy debate on gene drive organisms.”

The brief recommends that risk assessments must be consistent with the principle of case-by-case assessment since there are various types of gene drive constructs developed for different applications and contexts. The involvement of stakeholders must also be considered as a vital part of the process to address their concerns appropriately.

Download the policy brief from the ISAAA Inc. website for more details.