African Scientist Makes Breakthrough in Malaria Eradication by Editing Mosquito DNA – The Daily Guardia
Burkina Faso scientist, Abdoulaye Diabate, has been making significant strides in the fight against malaria with his groundbreaking research on genetic solutions. The 2023 Falling Walls Prize for Science and Innovation Management has recently been awarded to Diabate for his groundbreaking technique that may potentially wipe out malaria-transmitting mosquito species.
Malaria remains a leading cause of death in Burkina Faso, with almost the entire population at risk, particularly children. Since 2015, malaria deaths have continued to rise, primarily due to escalating costs and the emergence of biological threats such as drug resistance and insecticide immunity. As conventional methods become less effective against these resistant mosquitoes, Diabate believes that innovation in malaria control tools is key to defeating the disease.
His pioneering gene drive technology aims to manipulate the genes of female mosquito species to prevent them from producing new female offspring. This, in turn, would lead to a significant reduction in the female mosquito population and a significant decline in malaria transmission. The technology is not only more sustainable than conventional interventions but also more budget-friendly.
Despite the potential benefits, there are concerns about the ecological impact of gene drive technology once fully implemented. However, Diabate has assured that specific concerns will be taken into account during the development process of the project.
Although the gene drive technology may still take some time to be rolled out in Africa, it represents a promising step forward in the fight against malaria. Similar projects in the past have targeted mosquitoes’ DNA, like gene-modified mosquitoes that pass on a deadly gene to disease-transmitting species. However, Diabate’s research is among the first to use gene editing to specifically target male mosquitoes.
In light of the potential implications of gene drive technology, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been contacted to provide their input on the safety of this innovative approach.
For Diabate, the fight against malaria is deeply personal. He has dedicated his life to this cause due to its direct impact on him and his loved ones. With his groundbreaking research and commitment to finding solutions, Diabate brings hope for a future free of the devastating impacts of malaria.
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