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Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: A New Hope in the Fight Against Malaria
Context:
Researchers are exploring the genetic modification of mosquitoes to combat malaria. A medical entomologist from Burkina Faso is leading efforts to develop this technology and shares insights on its operation and ongoing research.
More on News:
- Malaria remains a devastating global health issue, particularly in Africa, which bears the brunt of this mosquito-borne disease.
- According to the World Malaria Report (2023), Africa accounts for 94% of malaria cases and 95% of related deaths.
- This disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, claims a child’s life every minute on the continent.
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How Genetic Modification Works?
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Key Highlights:
- In 2019, researchers released genetically modified male mosquitoes in Burkina Faso. These males were designed to be sterile, preventing the hatching of fertilised eggs.
- The release was a learning phase for future projects rather than a direct malaria control measure.
- One promising project involves a gene drive that makes female mosquitoes sterile.
- By releasing a small number of these mosquitoes, the modified gene could spread through the population, reducing the number of mosquitoes capable of reproducing.
- Another approach involves genetically modified male mosquitoes with a “male bias” gene, producing predominantly male offspring. This non-gene drive approach will provide valuable insights for future trials.
- Research has been conducted in partnership with the University of Ghana and the University of Oxford to assess the ecological role of Anopheles gambiae.
- Preliminary data suggest that these mosquitoes have a marginal ecological role, which helps in assessing the potential impacts of their reduction.
Current Status and Future Plans:
- A gene drive mosquito with a modified gene affecting female fertility is currently undergoing safety and efficacy studies in Europe.
- Field trials in Africa are anticipated to follow, subject to regulatory approvals.
- The next immediate step involves a controlled release of non-gene-driven genetically modified mosquitoes in Burkina Faso.
- This is expected to occur within the next two years and will help in understanding the impacts and logistics before moving to gene-driven mosquitoes.
