lethal gene

American  

noun

Genetics.

1. a gene that under certain conditions causes the death of an organism.

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Etymology

Origin of lethal gene

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The company created a strain of Aedes aegypti—the mosquito species that transmits the Zika and chikungunya viruses—designed to spread a lethal gene and dramatically cut down populations.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 27, 2017

He believes resources would be better spent on other control measures: insecticides, sanitary measures such as eliminating standing water in homes, and even the experimental release of genetically engineered mosquitoes to spread a lethal gene.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 25, 2016

By the end of 2015, there was a reduction in wild mosquito larvae — as opposed to larvae inheriting the lethal gene — of 82 percent, the company said.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2016

The males impart the lethal gene to their offspring which, lacking the dietary supplement to keep them alive, die before adulthood.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2015

When the modified mosquitoes mate with the local A. aegyptimosquitoes, they spread the lethal gene through the population, in theory causing it to crash.

From Scientific American • Aug. 8, 2011