Arresting Evolution

James J Bull; Jeffrey E Barrick

doi:10.1016/j.tig.2017.09.008

Arresting Evolution

Trends Genet. 2017 Dec;33(12):910-920. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.09.008. Epub 2017 Oct 10.

Authors

James J Bull¹, Jeffrey E Barrick²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Both authors contributed equally.
² Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Both authors contributed equally. Electronic address: jbarrick@cm.utexas.edu.

Abstract

Evolution in the form of selective breeding has long been harnessed as a useful tool by humans. However, rapid evolution can also be a danger to our health and a stumbling block for biotechnology. Unwanted evolution can underlie the emergence of drug and pesticide resistance, cancer, and weeds. It makes live vaccines and engineered cells inherently unreliable and unpredictable, and therefore potentially unsafe. Yet, there are strategies that have been and can possibly be used to stop or slow many types of evolution. We review and classify existing population genetics-inspired methods for arresting evolution. Then, we discuss how genome editing techniques enable a radically new set of approaches to limit evolution.

Keywords: drug resistance; evolution proof; gene drive; genome engineering; refuge crop; synthetic biology.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Evolution*
Biotechnology / methods
Breeding / methods
Crops, Agricultural / genetics
Gene Editing / methods
Genetic Engineering / adverse effects
Genetic Engineering / methods
Humans

Grants and funding

R01 GM088344/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States