The Gene Drive Files are a trove of emails and other records uncovered by civil society investigators. The Files reveal the US military as the number one funder and influence accelerating the development of “gene drives”, a controversial and powerful new genetic extinction technology. The files also reveal that a previously undisclosed gene drive “advocacy coalition,” was run by a private PR firm who received $1.6 million in funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They appear to have used covert lobbying tactics to influence expert UN discussion.