Herbicide-resistant pigweed is a growing problem for farmers Design Pics Inc / Alamy Stock Photo
A gene drive – a bit of DNA that cheats evolution and can spread even if harmful – has been successfully tested in a plant for the first time. The approach could be used to wipe out invasive plants and superweeds without harming other species, so could therefore reduce the use of herbicides. It could also help save species by spreading genes that make them resistant to diseases or more able to cope with global warming.
