The Ecology of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Scott, Thomas W.; Takken, Willem; Knols, Bart G. J.; Boëte, Christophe

doi:10.1126/science.298.5591.117

Cited by 176 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Field trials should be conducted only if the likelihood of achieving public health benefits is high while undesirable ecological or environmental impacts are very low (Enserink 2002). Studies in fully contained laboratory conditions and semifield systems are important first steps (Scott et al 2002). Further studies are needed to understand the factors influencing the spread rate of introduced genes in seminatural and natural conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Gene Introgression in the African Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae

et al. 2006

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Anopheles gambiae is a major malaria vector in Africa and a popular model species for a variety of ecological, evolutionary, and genetic studies on vector control. Genetic manipulation of mosquito vectorial capacity is a promising new weapon for the control of malaria. However, the release of exotic transgenic mosquitoes will bring in novel alleles in addition to the parasite-inhibiting genes, which may have unknown effects on the local population. Therefore, it is necessary to develop methodologies that can be used to evaluate the spread rate of introduced genes in A. gambiae. In this study, the effects and dynamics of genetic introgression between two geographically distinct A. gambiae populations from western Kenya (Mbita) and eastern Tanzania (Ifakara) were investigated with amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and microsatellite markers. Microsatellites and polymorphic cDNA markers revealed a large genetic differentiation between the two populations (average F ST ¼ 0.093, P , 0.001). When the two strains were crossed in random mating between the two populations, significant differences in the rate of genetic introgression were found in the mixed populations. Allele frequencies of 18 AFLP markers (64.3%) for Mbita and of 26 markers (92.9%) for Ifakara varied significantly from F 5 to F 20 . This study provides basic information on how a mosquito release program would alter the genetic makeup of natural populations, which is critical for pilot field testing and ecological risk evaluation of transgenic mosquitoes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Gene Introgression in the African Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae

et al. 2006

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“…Maintaining deleterious traits within a population indefinitely is likely to require scheduled releases of new RNA-guided gene drives to periodically overwrite the broken versions in the environment. Fourth, our current knowledge of the risk management 5,11,36,37,95 and containment 35,38 issues associated with gene drives is largely due to the efforts of researchers focused on mosquito-borne illnesses. Frameworks for evaluating ecological consequences are similarly focused on mosquitoes 39 and the few other organisms for which alternative genetic biocontrol methods have been considered 96 .…”

Section: Gene Drive Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These genes bias inheritance by cutting the homologous chromosome, inducing the cell to copy them when it repairs the break. Several efforts have focused on the possibility of using gene drives targeting mosquitoes to block malaria transmission [7][8][9][10][11][12] . However, development has been hindered by the difficulty of engineering homing endonucleases to cut new target sequences [13][14][15] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While considerable scholarship has been devoted to the question of how gene drives might be safely utilized in mosquitoes 5,11,[35][36][37][38][39][40] , few if any studies have examined the potential ecological effects of gene drives in other species. After all, constructing a drive to spread a particular genomic alteration in a given species was simply not feasible with earlier genome editing methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Concerning RNA-Guided Gene Drives for the Alteration of Wild Populations

Esvelt

Smidler

Catteruccia

et al. 2014

Preprint

207

388

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Gene drives may be capable of addressing ecological problems by altering entire populations of wild organisms, but their use has remained largely theoretical due to technical constraints. Here we consider the potential for RNA-guided gene drives based on the CRISPR nuclease Cas9 to serve as a general method for spreading altered traits through wild populations over many generations. We detail likely capabilities, discuss limitations, and provide novel precautionary strategies to control the spread of gene drives and reverse genomic changes. The ability to edit populations of sexual species would offer substantial benefits to humanity and the environment. For example, RNA-guided gene drives could potentially prevent the spread of disease, support agriculture by reversing pesticide and herbicide resistance in insects and weeds, and control damaging invasive species. However, the possibility of unwanted ecological effects and near-certainty of spread across political borders demand careful assessment of each potential application. We call for thoughtful, inclusive, and well-informed public discussions to explore the responsible use of this currently theoretical technology.

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“…Development of genetically manipulated strains of arthropods unable to transmit pathogens 1 or carrying sterility genes 2 includes assessing the effects of genetic modifications on vector biology in semi-field conditions. 3,4 Proper trials in semi-field systems, as defined by Ferguson and others, 5 are essential to investigate possible changes in fitness and/or behavior of genetically modified vectors that may affect their compatibility with the natural environment and their competitiveness with wildtype conspecifics. 6 If not detected, fitness costs and behavioral changes could cause genetic control strategies to fail.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Semi-Field System for Contained Field Trials with Aedes aegypti in Southern Mexico

Facchinelli

Valerio²,

Bond³

et al. 2011

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. Development of new genetic approaches to either interfere with the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus or to reduce vector population density requires progressive evaluation from the laboratory to contained field trials, before open field release. Trials in contained outdoor facilities are an important part of this process because they can be used to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of modified strains in settings that include natural environmental variations without releasing mosquitoes into the open field. We describe a simple and cost-effective semi-field system designed to study Aedes aegypti carrying a dominant lethal gene (fsRIDL) in semi-field conditions. We provide a protocol for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring stable Ae. aegypti population densities inside field cages.

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The Ecology of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Abstract: Ecological and population biology issues constitute serious challenges to the application of genetically modified mosquitos (GMM) for disease control.

Cited by 176 publications

References 25 publications

Dynamics of Gene Introgression in the African Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae

Dynamics of Gene Introgression in the African Malaria Vector Anopheles gambiae

Concerning RNA-Guided Gene Drives for the Alteration of Wild Populations

Development of a Semi-Field System for Contained Field Trials with Aedes aegypti in Southern Mexico

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