Record Detail

Within the domain of public health, vector-borne diseases are among the most
vehemently discussed issues. Recent scientific breakthroughs in genome editing
technology provided a solution to this issue in the form of a gene drive that might
decrease and even eradicate vector-borne diseases. Gene drives are engineered, and
designed genes that can break typical inheritance rules and be passed to almost all
of the carrier’s offspring. This genome editing and gene drive technology has
become a powerful tool for ecological and environmental engineering, through
which man can manipulate his surroundings, adjusting it to himself and directly
mastering evolution and the ecosystem. Although the gene drive technology has
been perceived as promising in the public health domain, ecological implications of
its use are not to be underestimated. The primary aim of this paper is to overcome
the ongoing discussion which mostly focuses on whether priority should be given to
the environment or to public health, and to find an adequate answer and solution.
In this quest to find the proper answer and solution, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s
thought might be useful, especially his concepts of the biosphere and the
noosphere which may provide some clarifications as to why we are at the moment
so cautious with gene drive technology and how we need to move towards a better
common future on earth.