Progress in gene-drive research has stimulated discussion and debate on ethical issues surrounding community engagement, consent, and decision-making involved in development and deployment. Experts, academics, and funders have suggested that global frameworks, standards, and guidelines be developed to direct research in answering these important questions. The vast majority of these conversations, and resulting publications, transpire with little or no input from potential end-users or stakeholders who, we contend, should ultimately determine the fate of the technology in their communities. If we are to create guidance and recommendations for gene drive engagement and influence research practice and ensure ethically responsible development, it is essential to include field-site practitioners, stakeholders and community leaders in the academic conversations and debates surrounding these subjects. A new value needs to be placed on reaching these voices and creating a space for sharing their knowledge and prioritizing their perspectives.
The goal of this research topic collection is to explore the perspectives, values, and priorities of end-user groups considering the application of gene drive technology for public health applications and to provide an opportunity for these groups to produce and share important knowledge with the larger gene drive research community.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions that cover themes such as, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Gene drive engagement strategies – challenges and successes in the field
• Gene drive engagement frameworks – what is working from the perspective of practitioners
• How engagement can inform and direct scientific research and trial designs
• Gene drive risks and challenges related to development and implementation
• Gene drive capacity building – what is needed and how to do achieve it
• Defining gene drive consent/agreement – end-user perspectives regarding definitions and implementation
• African stakeholder perspective on the proposed “global” regulation and engagement frameworks for gene drive
Progress in gene-drive research has stimulated discussion and debate on ethical issues surrounding community engagement, consent, and decision-making involved in development and deployment. Experts, academics, and funders have suggested that global frameworks, standards, and guidelines be developed to direct research in answering these important questions. The vast majority of these conversations, and resulting publications, transpire with little or no input from potential end-users or stakeholders who, we contend, should ultimately determine the fate of the technology in their communities. If we are to create guidance and recommendations for gene drive engagement and influence research practice and ensure ethically responsible development, it is essential to include field-site practitioners, stakeholders and community leaders in the academic conversations and debates surrounding these subjects. A new value needs to be placed on reaching these voices and creating a space for sharing their knowledge and prioritizing their perspectives.
The goal of this research topic collection is to explore the perspectives, values, and priorities of end-user groups considering the application of gene drive technology for public health applications and to provide an opportunity for these groups to produce and share important knowledge with the larger gene drive research community.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions that cover themes such as, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Gene drive engagement strategies – challenges and successes in the field
• Gene drive engagement frameworks – what is working from the perspective of practitioners
• How engagement can inform and direct scientific research and trial designs
• Gene drive risks and challenges related to development and implementation
• Gene drive capacity building – what is needed and how to do achieve it
• Defining gene drive consent/agreement – end-user perspectives regarding definitions and implementation
• African stakeholder perspective on the proposed “global” regulation and engagement frameworks for gene drive
