JOHANNESBURG, July 30 (ANA) – The Ugandan government plans to breed genetically modified mosquitoes as part of a plan to fight malaria in Africa.
To this end Kampala would establish an insectarium, where research on breeding these mosquitoes to spread a genetic mutation that was lethal to its own malaria-causing species would be conducted, the Daily Monitor reported on Tuesday.
This development will complement the current methods being used to control and prevent the spread of malaria, including anti-malarial drugs and mosquito nets.
Of the 3 000 species of mosquitoes on planet earth, including 800 in Africa, only three species cause malaria.
If the modified mosquitoes are proven to be safe and effective they will be released in areas plagued by malaria across Africa with their mutation eventually sterilising all the females and subsequently reducing the population of the dangerous mosquitoes.
The research is being carried out by a consortium of several research organisations across Africa, overseen by the United States Agency for International Development and United Kingdom Aid on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Open Philanthropy Foundation.
- African News Agency (ANA)
