Using Gene Drive Technologies to Control Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases

Abstract

After years of success in reducing the global malaria burden, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that progress has stalled. Over 90% of malaria deaths world-wide occurred in the WHO African Region. New tools are needed to regain momentum and further decrease the burden of malaria. Gene drive, an emerging technology that can enhance the inheritance of beneficial genes, offers potentially transformative solutions for overcoming these challenges. Gene drives may decrease disease transmission by interfering with the growth of the malaria parasite in the mosquito vector or reducing mosquito reproductive capacity. Like other emerging technologies, development of gene drive products faces technical and non-technical challenges and uncertainties. In 2018, to begin addressing such challenges, a multidisciplinary group of international experts published comprehensive recommendations for responsible testing and implementation of gene drive-modified mosquitoes to combat malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Considering requirements for containment, efficacy and safety testing, monitoring, stakeholder engagement and authorization, as well as policy and regulatory issues, the group concluded that gene drive products for malaria can be tested safely and ethically, but that this will require substantial coordination, planning, and capacity development. The group emphasized the importance of co-development and co-ownership of products by in-country scientists.

Alleviating the burden of malaria with gene drive technologies? A biocentric analysis of the moral permissibility of modifying malaria mosquitoes

“…The morbidity and mortality of malaria, coupled with the inefficiency of conventional strategies, have provided an incentive to research innovative strategies to control malaria, such as gene drive technologies (GDTs) 1 4–7. GDTs are developed with the aim of promoting the rapid, progressive spread of a particular genetic element within a population of non-human organisms.…”

Gene Drives in the U.K., U.S., and Australian Press (2015–2019): How a New Focus on Responsibility Is Shaping Science Communication

“…Uncertainty exists about whether it will work, how effective it might be, who is controlling it, and potential unintended consequences for human health and the environment ( European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, 2019 ; Webber et al, 2015 ). Aware of these uncertainties and concerns, the gene drive community, including scientists, funders, and supporters of the research are committed to conducting research in a transparent fashion ( Esvelt et al, 2014 ; James & Tountas, 2018 ; Ledingham & Hartley, 2020 ; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [NASEM], 2016 ; Oye et al, 2014 ). For example, a statement from a group of gene drive researchers declared that “we must ensure that trials are scientifically, politically, and socially robust, publicly accountable, and widely transparent.…”

Transformation and slippage in co-production ambitions for global technology development: The case of gene drive

“…The global nature of the technology combined with its potential to eliminate or alter whole species has resulted in a plethora of governance documents prescribing its responsible development and use. These documents place significant emphasis on a new form of governance emerging under the term 'co-development' (AU and NEPAD, 2018;Hartley et al, 2019;James and Tountas, 2018).…”