What happened to RNAi as a treatment for viruses?

RNAi can be used for insect pest control by suppressing
essential genes leading to reduced fitness and/or mortality. Fur-
thermore, by priming the antiviral RNAi response with innocuous
viral sequences, beneficial insect species, such as honey bee (Apis
mellifera) and silkworm (Bombyx mori), can be protected from
highly pathogenic viral infections. However, the reality is not yet
matching the envisioned potential of RNAi. Practitioners are
increasingly aware that RNAi in insects can be capricious; efficacy
varies across insect taxa, among genes, with mode of delivery, and
even between different laboratories.

All too often, the application of RNAi technology is an empirical exercise:
"try it, for it might work".

Scott, J. G., ... (2013). Towards the elements of successful insect RNAi. 
Journal of Insect Physiology.

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html