Malaria: GM Mosquitoes Offer New Hope for Millions

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have announced the development of a genetically modified mosquito that cannot transmit malaria. Malaria leads to 1 million deaths each year, mostly in developing nations. Initial experiments in cages suggest that the modified mosquitoes eventually overwhelm the ordinary mosquitoes who serve as vectors in passing malaria to humans. In developing such mosquitoes, researchers initially discovered that modifications weakened the mosquitoes and limited their ability to dominate habitats. “In wild populations, only a small fraction of females carry the malaria parasite, so disease-resistant strains must become well-established to affect the spread of disease,” writes journalist Ian Sample in “The Guardian.” The next step for scientists is proving that the mosquitoes won’t develop a more dangerous form of malaria or other diseases. But testing for every conceivable complication is a big challenge. – YaleGlobal