lethal gene

noun

: a gene that in some (such as homozygous) conditions may prevent development or cause the death of an organism or its germ cells

called also lethal factor, lethal mutant, lethal mutation

Examples of lethal gene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But others are more inventive, even visionary: exploring new bacterial targets at which antibiotics might be aimed; finding drugs that stop plasmids from replicating; and designing Trojan-horse plasmids to sneak lethal genes into bacteria. —Mark Caldwell, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Esvelt believes that immunizing mosquitoes against the malaria parasite, a positive application of CRISPR-Cas9, is a better place to start than eradicating a species with a lethal gene drive. —Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2015

Once mature, the GMO males mate with local wild females, passing along the lethal gene that makes their female offspring die. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 30 Apr. 2021

Oxitec researchers then developed a second-generation mosquito with the self-limiting lethal gene that would only last for a few generations. —Eric Niiler, Wired, 24 Sep. 2020

Oxitec’s latest strain of GM mosquitoes is designed to spread the lethal gene more effectively. —Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, 17 Sep. 2019

Shelton is releasing males carrying a lethal gene that eventually kills all female offspring. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2017

The lethal gene kills the mosquito in two to three days. —jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2017

The lethal gene in an Oxitec mosquito does come from a lab strain of E. coli. —jsonline.com, 5 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lethal gene

noun

: a gene capable of preventing development or causing the death of a living thing or its germ cells

Medical Definition

lethal gene

noun

: a gene that in some (as homozygous) conditions may prevent development or cause the death of an organism or its germ cells

called also lethal factor, lethal mutant, lethal mutation