Selection of sites for field trials of genetically engineered mosquitoes with gene drive
| Autor: | Steven Palomares, Abram Estrada, Gregory C. Lanzaro, Marc W. Crepeau, Ziad S. Haddad, Ana Kormos, Melina Campos, Hans Gripkey, Anthony J. Cornel |
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| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
genetic control
Evolution Anopheles gambiae Population Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities Site selection malaria islands Computational biology population modification Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Rare Diseases Clinical Research parasitic diseases QH359-425 Genetics education Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Selection (genetic algorithm) education.field_of_study Evolutionary Biology biology Prevention Gene drive biology.organism_classification Field (geography) Vector-Borne Diseases Infectious Diseases Good Health and Well Being Vector (epidemiology) Field trial Perspective General Agricultural and Biological Sciences Infection |
| Zdroj: | Evolutionary applications, vol 14, iss 9 Evolutionary Applications, Vol 14, Iss 9, Pp 2147-2161 (2021) Evolutionary Applications |
| Popis: | Novel malaria control strategies using genetically engineered mosquitoes (GEMs) are on the horizon. Population modification is one approach wherein mosquitoes are engineered with genes rendering them refractory to the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, coupled with a low‐threshold, Cas9‐based gene drive. When released into a wild vector population, GEMs preferentially transmit these parasite‐blocking genes to their offspring, ultimately modifying a vector population into a nonvector one. Deploying this technology awaits ecologically contained field trial evaluations. Here, we consider a process for site selection, the first critical step in designing a trial. Our goal is to identify a site that maximizes prospects for success, minimizes risk, and serves as a fair, valid, and convincing test of efficacy and impacts of a GEM product intended for large‐scale deployment in Africa. We base site selection on geographic, geological, and biological, rather than social or legal, criteria. We recognize the latter as critically important but not as a first step in selecting a site. We propose physical islands as being the best candidates for a GEM field trial and present an evaluation of 22 African islands. We consider geographic and genetic isolation, biological complexity, island size, and topography and identify two island groups that satisfy key criteria for ideal GEM field trial sites. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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