Which statement accurately describes a gene drive?

A gene drive is a genetic engineering technology that increases the likelihood of a specific gene being passed on to the next generation beyond the normal 50% inheritance probability. This mechanism allows for the rapid propagation of the altered gene throughout a population, which can lead to its prevalence within genetic lines. This is achieved by biasing the inheritance process, which means that when an organism with the gene drive reproduces, the chances of its offspring inheriting that altered gene can significantly exceed the usual expectations of genetic inheritance.

This makes the first statement accurate, as it captures the essence of how gene drives function. The ability to alter inheritance in such a way has significant implications for biodiversity, as it can be used for pest control or to engineer populations for conservation purposes, among other applications.

The other statements do not convey the functionality of gene drives accurately. For example, while gene drives may aim to reduce the prevalence of undesired genes or traits, they do not guarantee extinction of those genes, as unintended consequences and ecological complexities can impede their effectiveness. Furthermore, gene drives do not solely operate within controlled laboratory environments; they are designed to propagate in wild populations under certain conditions. Lastly, gene drives have a profound impact on natural populations when they are released, as they can