Genetic Technologies for Sustainable Management of Insect Pests and Disease Vectors

Recent advancements in genetic and genome editing research, augmented by the discovery of new molecular tools such as CRISPR, have revolutionised the field of genetic engineering by enabling precise site-specific genome modifications with unprecedented ease. These technologies have found a vast range of applications, including the development of novel methods for the control of vector and pest insects. According to their genetic makeup and engineering, these tools can be tuned to impose different grades of impact on the targeted populations. Here, we review some of the most recent genetic control innovations under development, describing their molecular mechanisms and performance, highlighting the sustainability potentials of such interventions.

Automated summary

Recent advancements in genetic and genome editing research, particularly the discovery of new molecular tools like CRISPR, have enabled precise site-specific genome modifications with unprecedented ease, revolutionizing the field of genetic engineering. These technologies have a wide range of applications, including novel methods for vector and pest insect control, with the ability to impose varying levels of impact on targeted populations based on genetic makeup and engineering. The review highlights the molecular mechanisms and performance of recent genetic control innovations, emphasizing the sustainability potentials of such interventions.