Genetically modified mozzies could reduce disease spread

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-03-03 11:01

Australia; TAS

Diseases transmitted by biting female mosquitoes are a significant source of human morbidity and mortality. Novel methods for mosquito control require safety assessments that incorporate scientific theory, mathematical models, and empirical data. A probabilistic risk assessment is demonstrated for a novel genetic control method that was developed as part of a phased development pathway designed to suppress malaria. The predicted relative risk of disease transmission for three example pathogens was lower for genetically engineered mosquitoes compared to wild unmodified mosquitoes.

Media release

From: The Royal Society

Quantifying the risk of vector-borne disease transmission attributable to genetically modified vectors
Royal Society Open Science

Population control of disease vectors, such as by suppression of mosquito abundance, is a proven means to allay human morbidity and mortality. Genetic engineering methods may usefully contribute to the effective control of mosquito vectors. Probabilistic safety assessments of proposed genetic vector control methods should consider the risks of disease transmission by transgenic mosquitoes relative to wild-type mosquitoes of similar genetic background. A probabilistic risk assessment is applied to estimate the relative risk of lymphatic filariasis, malaria and o’nyong’nyong arbovirus disease transmission by transgenic versus wild-type vectors to human hosts given the release of a self-limiting transgenic strain of mosquitoes.

Journal/
conference: Royal Society Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: CSIRO

Funder: This work was supported by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and CSIRO Health and Biosecurity.

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