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(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Gene Editing Pesticides

(SEPTEMBER-2024)

According to a recent study, humans, farm animals, and insects may all suffer collateral damage as a result of genetic pesticide exposure.

intervention used to control pests by modifying their genetic material.
Unlike traditional chemical pesticides, which kill or repel pests through toxic substances, genetic pesticides work at the genetic level to either reduce pest populations or make them less harmful to crops.
Genetic pesticides are touted as more environmentally friendly than chemical pesticides.

Scientists have warned that genetic pesticides may be able to edit the genes of people, animals, and insects in the environment where pesticides will be sprayed.
The team of scientists from Brazil, New Zealand, and Norway had identified three major pests that could potentially be targeted for outdoor-use gene-editing pesticides: Western corn rootworm, red flour beetle and the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotium.
During the study the team investigated 18 species that are commonly found in farming environments, like humans, cattle, chickens, mice, pollinator insects, earthworms, fungi and crops like maize, cotton, and soybean.