Y-linked Genome Editor (YLE) a Self-Limiting Genetic Control Tool: An Updated Review

Invasive species are increasingly impacting forests, food, fisheries, and agriculture, with global economic repercussions. The majority of vertebrate pest management methods lack effective strategic control tools and are unsustainable and unsuitable for effective landscape-scale management. The application of genetic techniques is intended to prevent invasive populations. Employment of a mix of strategies has enabled sustained control, depending on the species, region, and degree of dissemination. Advantages of the genetic methods include species specificity, long-term and self-sustainability, 100% trait transferability, minimum infrastructure requirement, and non-requirement of physical modification of the landscape. This renders these methods feasible and applicable globally to control a large number of invasive pests. The possibility of using gene drive technology in conjunction with conventional control techniques opens new horizons in the management of vertebrate invasive populations. Since these techniques are environmentally suitable and non-polluting, they are suited for a green economy. The success of these methods is currently illustrated in the control of invasive species across vast geographic regions, such as Asian carp in the Mississippi River, lionfish in the Caribbean, and zebra mussels in the Great Lakes. Thus, judiciously designed experimental and field study methods suited for a particular pest will enable long-term goals of control and sustenance of invasive pest control.