New study on fruit flies to help develop more effective genetic tools, including gene drive

A group of researchers identified the responsible gene for the determination of male sex in the Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly, a global and highly destructive fruit pest. Flies of each sex were transformed into the other sex by genetic manipulation. Afterward, crosses of transformed flies were able to generate male and female progeny. According to scientists, the research has great potential to help develop more effective strategies and genetic tools to control agricultural pests, including gene drive approaches.

The read more about the discovery, visit the journal Science.