Controversial Gene Drive Strategy Could Make Mosquitoes Hostile to Malaria Parasite
ScienceJUL 24
Gene Edit Could Block Mosquitoes From Spreading Malaria
Above: Close-up photograph shows a mosquito on human skin on Oct. 21, 2022. Image copyright: Guillaume Souvant/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
This breakthrough represents a game-changing approach to malaria control that could save hundreds of thousands of lives annually. The elegance lies in using nature's own tools, a naturally occurring variant that already exists in some mosquitoes, rather than introducing foreign genes. The mechanism means a single release could transform entire mosquito populations without ongoing intervention.
Techno-skeptic narrative
Gene drive technology poses significant risks with potentially irreversible consequences for ecosystems. The genetic changes could persist permanently in wild populations, and mutations might affect other parts of the genome before researchers could intervene. Such powerful technology requires extreme caution given the unpredictable effects of permanently altering entire species.