Anticipatory stakeholder engagement provides insights for gene drive in invasive species through the case of gene drive grey squirrels

Abstract

Invasive and non-native species present a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services and quality of life that has resulted in calls for more ambitious and radical management approaches. One such approach is gene drive technology that in theory could remove an invasive species from an ecosystem. In 2019, researchers proposed using gene drive technology to remove invasive grey squirrels from the UK. We use this case to explore what expert stakeholders think about gene drive technology and identify key issues that concern them. Through anticipatory stakeholder engagement, we provide the first empirical stakeholder engagement data for gene drive in Europe. Results reveal six prominent matters of concern: The problem to be solved; efficacy of the gene drive; type of gene drive; existing management alternatives; target organism; and public perceptions. We develop these matters of concern into a heuristic capable of providing insights to those funding, developing and governing gene drive technologies for invasive species management, not just in the case of gene drive grey squirrels but for all potential gene drive applications in conservation. Lastly, we argue that such knowledge-focused engagement would be a productive way to shape and govern gene drive trajectories.