End of Malaria?

Researchers from John Hopkins University believe they may have found a way to eradicate malaria, a disease responsible for killing millions of people each year. The proposed method employs a controversial plan of using genetically modified, malaria-resistant mosquitoes to oust their malaria infected counterparts.

Research published this week in the prestigious scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, describes the use of genetically modified mosquitoes that are resistant to malaria. The genetically modified mosquitoes contain a special gene inserted by scientists that prevent the insects from contracting malaria. When introduced into a controlled experimental environment, the genetically modified mosquitoes out survive the non-genetically modified mosquitoes carrying malaria.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that infects 350-500 million people each year, mostly in Africa and tropical regions. When left untreated, malaria can be fatal. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated a child in Africa dies from malaria nearly every 30 seconds.

Although advances in preventing the spread of malaria have been made in the past, the new research proposes the best chances thus far to eradicate the deadly disease.

The research will likely be met with skepticism from groups against the use of genetically modified organisms. A press release issued in 2004 by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology describes many potential problems with the use of genetically modified insects to combat disease. Release of fertile GM insects increases the potential that transgenic traits could spread throughout the insect population, potentially making pre-existing pest problems worse or creating altogether new challenges. It is also possible that GM insects released to control the spread of disease could actually have the unintended consequence of enabling an insect to more effectively spread disease or even carry a human disease it was never before able to transmit.

Malaria was eradicated from the United States in the 1950s, however travelers to other countries are often at risk to catch the disease. Eradication in other parts of the world was not successful due to the resistance of mosquitoes to the measures used to eradicate malaria.

Visitors to foreign countries that still have malaria are recommended to take anti-malaria medication. According to the Center for Disease Control symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Infection with one type of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death.

A timetable has yet to be put forth regarding use of the genetically modified mosquitoes. Further research is still needed.

Sources: Reuters

WHO

CDC