To inactivate a gene by RNAi, gene position is not necessary. The information needed is the sequence of the gene that you intend to inactivate. Because you have to start with double-stranded RNA (Ribonucleic acid) that is made with sequences that is homologous to part of the gene that you want to inactivate.
This mechanism is called RNA interference (RNAi). Scientists have capitalized on this cellular mechanism to make a powerful method for inactivating specific genes.
In this inactivation mechanism, a double stranded RNA is made with sequences homologous to part of the gene under study and is introduced into a cell. The RNA induced silencing complex, or RISC, then degrades native mRNA (messenger RNA) that is complementary to the double-stranded RNA. The net result is complete or considerable reduction of mRNA levels that lasts for hours or days and nullifies the expression of that gene.