Genetically Engineered, Embryo-specific Lethality for Insect Pest Management

Many insects compete with us humans for agricultural resources, feed on us, or act as disease vectors. Current control efforts rely mostly on the use of insecticides. The use of chemicals to either repel or kill insect pests is the oldest and most commonly used method of pest control. However, with the massive use of insecticides four major problems have arisen. First, many pests have developed resistance to one or several of the chemicals. Second, the non-specific action of these chemicals results in the destruction of beneficial animals, which has frequently led to ecological backlash phenomena with the rise of insecticide-resistant pests in large numbers. Third, the costs of developing new chemical products to overcome the problem of insecticide resistance are escalating. Fourth, the potential health hazard of many pesticides is a general threat to human welfare. Thus, novel and improved strategies are necessary to combat insect pests.