Genetically Modified Mosquitoes And The Emergence Of Malaria Vaccines.

2 days ago

I laughed so hard yesterday after my brother told me about a certain species of mosquitoes but my laughter had more to do with how passionately he explained the invention and less to do with the invention.

You know the type of vehement explanation backed by evidence-based research and a hint of passion? That was it and for some reason, I found this not just hilarious but intriguing. Hence my research on the “Genetically Modified Mosquitoes”.

Now, mosquitoes are natural existing insects in the ecosystem, rightfully so. On their own, these insects are fairly harmless because all they need is a relatively small amount of human blood for survival and reproduction. But, the female anopheles mosquitoes is a vector that carries the malaria parasite called plasmodium falciparum amongst other things.

✨ Mode of Transmission

When an infected female anopheles mosquito bites any individual, the malaria parasite goes into their blood stream and things escalate from there.

✨ Symptoms

Some common symptoms that accompany malaria include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea.

Without further ado, let's talk about GM mosquitoes.

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (GM mosquitoes)

The GM mosquito associated with Bill Gates's foundation is primarily developed by Oxitec, a biotechnology firm. These GM mosquitoes are part of a biotechnological intervention aimed at curbing diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika virus and west Nile virus(which are all caused by mosquitoes), by targeting the mosquito vectors responsible for transmitting these illnesses.

The core principle behind these GM mosquitoes is the self-limiting genetic modification, specifically designed to suppress mosquito populations or reduce their capacity to transmit pathogens.

The main genetic strategy involves either;

✨ Sterility: here, the mosquitoes are genetically engineered so that only male mosquitoes survive to adulthood.

✨ Pathogen Resistance: in some cases, GM mosquitoes are engineered to be resistant to malaria parasite (MP) or other pathogens they usually carry, making them unable to transmit diseases even if they bite humans.

✨ Ethical Considerations

The initial trials of these mosquitoes generated mixed reactions due to ethical, ecological and safety concerns. Rightly so.

The introduction of these mosquitoes can lead to ecological imbalance and even disruption of local ecosystems. There's no doubt that the female mosquitoes pose a risk but totally eradicating them is certainly not the way to go.

This is why I'm thrilled about the recent malaria vaccines that have been deployed in certain regions as part of the effort to reduce the spread of malaria parasites. These vaccines are primarily targeted at a specific age group, mainly children, to provide protection during their most vulnerable years. Although limited to young recipients, this development is a significant advancement in the global fight against malaria and a crucial step towards its eventual eradication

As of this year, the GM mosquito project is still in the experimental phase in several regions. So hypothetically, if you come across a mosquito that refuses to die even after a hard smack, it's probably a GM mosquito :)

✨ Fun fact

Many individuals who have experienced malaria continue to carry tiny amounts of malaria parasite in their bloodstream. These parasites can remain dormant for a while but any disruption in the body's balance(homeostasis), can trigger the development of the illness. Therefore, being bitten by an anopheles mosquito does not always result in immediate malaria infection. So, be safe out there.