Genetic Discovery To Eradicate Malaria?

Malaria is a disease that affects over 300 million people every year and causes over a million deaths. Current methods of control such as chemical sprays are proving ineffective, as seen in some areas of Africa, where malaria kills one child every 30 seconds.

Researchers have created a genetically modified (GM) mosquito that cannot pass on the malaria virus. By adding a gene into the mosquito's genome, the mosquito is resistant to the malaria virus and therefore cannot pass it on to a human or any other animal.

There is concern that these GM mosquitoes will not be able to compete with the malaria-carrying mosquitoes as the resistance gene will make them too weak to survive in the wild. However, tests have shown that GM mosquitoes slowly become the dominant species over time.

Scientists are currently focusing on methods to ensure the resistance genes are inherited by every offspring of the GM mosquitoes. If scientists can prove that the resistance genes will not have negative impacts on the environment, this may be a cheap and effective way to reduce the prevalence of the malaria virus.

Article Link:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/genetic-discovery-may-eradicate-malaria/2007/03/20/1174153063164.html

Annabelle Franklin
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