WHO issues research guide for Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued guidance for the future research and development of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (GMMs) to fight malaria and other vector-borne diseases.
WHO notes in the guidance policy that there needs to be a change of approach in controlling the vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and zika virus, through the use of insecticides and draining mosquito breeding areas.
The guidance policy reads, ‘‘currently available methods to control mosquito vectors are based on the use of insecticides and elimination of mosquito larval breeding sites. In considering the potential of new technologies to address the unmet needs of mosquito control, it is necessary to evaluate their risks and benefits in the context of the current situation.’’
WHO noted on its website that the ‘current strategies for limiting transmission of mosquito-borne diseases are only partially effective.’ The health body therefore banks on the Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to turn things around and solve the problem by controlling outdoor bites and insecticide resistance which complicates the treatment campaigns.
The guidance policy will ensure that the GMM technologies currently under test are used as they are and the safety and regulatory mechanisms are considered. It will also emphasise on the ethical issues involving the handling of the GMMs from the laboratory all the way to the field. It will set the international standards to be universally considered by all the countries undertaking research to ensure that tests are successful.
Stakeholders have lauded the GMM as the game changer in controlling malaria and other vector-borne diseases saying it will answer lots of questions pending in research books.
“The updated guidance framework aims to answer these questions and help ensure that testing of genetically modified mosquitoes is as rigorous as it is for other public health products – and that it generates quality results to guide decisions about if and how these technologies are used,” said the Director of the GeneConvene Global Collaborative Dr Michael Santos, as quoted in WHO website.
Dr Pedro Alonso, the Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme, said the world had averted 7 million malaria deaths and 1.5 billion cases but a lot more still needs to be done. Using the GMM effectively could offer the long-term solution to reinventing the control mechanisms against the diseases.