Abstract
Gene drive research is progressing towards future field evaluation of modified mosquitoes for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. While many literature sources and guidance point to the inadequacy of individual informed consent for any genetically modified mosquito release, including gene drive ones, (outside of epidemiological studies that might require blood samples) and at the need for a community-level decision, researchers often find themselves with no specific guidance on how that decision should be made, expressed and by whom. Target Malaria, the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the Pan African Mosquito Control Association co-organised a workshop with researchers and practitioners on this topic to question the model proposed by Target Malaria in its research so far that involved the release of genetically modified sterile male mosquitoes and how this could be adapted to future studies involving gene drive mosquito releases for them to offer reflections about potential best practices. This paper shares the outcomes of that workshop and highlights the remaining topics for discussion before a comprehensive model can be designed.
Highlights
Recent scientific advances in the field of gene drive research have increased the likelihood that gene drive-modified mosquitoes to reduce the burden of malaria will be proposed for field evaluation in the near-to-medium-term future
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidance framework for testing genetically modified mosquitoes clearly establishes that individual consent is not appropriate for the open release of genetically-modified mosquitoes unless there is a collection of samples or data from human participants to track epidemiological results, in which cases those collections require individual consent (WHO/TDR and FNIH, 2014)
Participants found that “community agreement” was the least ambiguous and most fitting conceptual terminology for Target Malaria to seek from relevant communities before engaging in research that may impact them
Summary
Harvard University, Any reports and responses or comments on the article can be found at the end of the article. Any further responses from the reviewers can be found at the end of the article Disclaimer The views expressed in this article are those of the authors. Publication in Gates Open Research does not imply endorsement by the Gates Foundation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
