Genetically modified mosquitoes to curb malaria
Genetically modified mosquitoes to curb malaria
Tags: Africa, Anopheles, Gene drive synthetic, Malaria, Target malariaT. Abet, Daily Monitor, 2021.
Scientists at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) have started breeding mosquitoes with the aim of modifying their genetic materials and releasing them to the environment to curb malaria transmission. The genetically modified mosquitoes, according to the scientists, do not transmit malaria parasites when they bite. Dr Jonathan Kayondo, the project lead coordinator at the UVRI, said when the modified male mosquito mates with common mosquitoes, the female off springs are infertile. This, he explained will significantly suppress the population or eliminate mosquitoes thereby stopping malaria transmission and deaths.
