Understanding the possible positive and negative impacts that gene drive organisms could have on the environment and people is essential before these technologies can be considered for release. While environmental risks can be evaluated through specific risk assessments, an Environmental, Socio-economic, and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) can be useful to assess other dimensions, such as a gene drive organism’s potential consequences on a social, economic and health level.  

In collaboration with the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research, the ISAAA SEAsia Center published a new policy brief on the topic, titled Environmental, Socio-economic, and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) for Gene Drive Organisms. The policy brief outlines the characteristics of an ESHIA and provides an overview of the steps typically undertaken during such an assessment, complemented with potential examples tailored to different types of gene drive technologies.