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Resnik DB, Medina RF, Gould F, Church G, Kuzma J. Genes drive organisms and slippery slopes. Pathog Glob Health 2024; 118:348-357. [PMID: 36562087 PMCID: PMC11234912 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2160895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The bioethical debate about using gene drives to alter or eradicate wild populations has focused mostly on issues concerning short-term risk assessment and management, governance and oversight, and public and community engagement, but has not examined big-picture- 'where is this going?'-questions in great depth. In other areas of bioethical controversy, big-picture questions often enter the public forum via slippery slope arguments. Given the incredible potential of gene drive organisms to alter the Earth's biota, it is somewhat surprising that slippery slope arguments have not played a more prominent role in ethical and policy debates about these emerging technologies. In this article, we examine a type of slippery slope argument against using gene drives to alter or suppress wild pest populations and consider whether it has a role to play in ethical and policy debates. Although we conclude that this argument does not provide compelling reasons for banning the use of gene drives in wild pest populations, we believe that it still has value as a morally instructive cautionary narrative that can motivate scientists, ethicists, and members of the public to think more clearly about appropriate vs. inappropriate uses of gene drive technologies, the long-term and cumulative and emergent risks of using gene drives in wild populations, and steps that can be taken to manage these risks, such as protecting wilderness areas where people can enjoy life forms that have not been genetically engineered.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B. Resnik
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Raul F. Medina
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Fred Gould
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - George Church
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Kuzma
- School of Public and International Affairs, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Bukhari T, Gichuhi J, Mbare O, Ochwal VA, Fillinger U, Herren JK. Willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based mosquito release strategy: a community-based rapid assessment in western Kenya. Malar J 2024; 23:113. [PMID: 38643165 PMCID: PMC11031974 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04941-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia MB, an endosymbiont naturally found in Anopheles mosquitoes inhibits transmission of Plasmodium and is a promising candidate for a transmission-blocking strategy that may involve mosquito release. A rapid assessment was carried out to develop insight into sociodemographic factors, public health concerns, and malaria awareness, management, and prevention practices with the willingness to accept and participate in Microsporidia MB-based transmission-blocking strategy to develop an informed stakeholder engagement process. METHODS The assessment consisted of a survey conducted in two communities in western Kenya that involved administering a questionnaire consisting of structured, semi-structured, and open questions to 8108 household heads. RESULTS There was an overall high level of willingness to accept (81%) and participate in the implementation of the strategy (96%). Although the willingness to accept was similar in both communities, Ombeyi community was more willing to participate (OR 22, 95% CI 13-36). Women were less willing to accept (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9) compared to men due to fear of increased mosquito bites near homes. Household heads with incomplete primary education were more willing to accept (OR 1.6, 95% CI 01.2-2.2) compared to those educated to primary level or higher. Perceiving malaria as a moderate or low public health issue was also associated with a lower willingness to accept and participate. Experience of > 3 malaria cases in the family over the last six months and knowledge that malaria is transmitted by only mosquito bites, increased the willingness to accept but reduced the willingness to participate. Awareness of malaria control methods based on mosquitoes that cannot transmit malaria increases the willingness to participate. CONCLUSION The study showed a high level of willingness to accept and participate in a Microsporidia MB-based strategy in the community, which is influenced by several factors such as community, disease risk perception, gender, education level, knowledge, and experience of malaria. Further research will need to focus on understanding the concerns of women, educated, and employed community members, and factors that contribute to the lower disease risk perception. This improved understanding will lead to the development of an effective communication strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tullu Bukhari
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Joseph Gichuhi
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Oscar Mbare
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Victoria A Ochwal
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ulrike Fillinger
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jeremy K Herren
- Human Health, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
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Pérez-Guerra CL, Rosado-Santiago C, Ramos SA, Marrero KM, González-Zeno G, Miranda-Bermúdez J, Ortíz-Ortíz M, Rivera-Amill V, Waterman S, Paz-Bailey G, Sánchez-González L. Community perceptions on challenges and solutions to implement an Aedes aegypti control project in Ponce, Puerto Rico (USA). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284430. [PMID: 37068074 PMCID: PMC10109480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study characterizes community perceptions on a large-scale project seeking to reduce the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and prevent arboviral disease transmission in Ponce, Puerto Rico; and to leverage on these perceptions to make modifications to ensure effective project implementation. In 2017-2018 the team conducted informal interviews, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with leaders and residents of the communities, focusing on challenges and potential solutions to the project implementation. Possible challenges to the project implementation included the lack of geographic consistency between clusters defined by researchers and the participants' description of the communities' geographic boundaries. Few children living in the communities could affect the ability of the project to adequately measure arboviral disease incidence. Also, population attrition due to out-migration, and lack of community leaders and communication channels after Hurricane Maria could affect participation in project activities. Lack of trust on strangers was an important challenge due to criminal activity involving violence and drug use in some community areas. Solutions to the identified challenges included identifying emerging leaders and implementing community meetings to promote project activities. The information that community members provided helped us to understand the natural disasters' impact on population attrition in these communities with a disproportionate impact in younger groups, resulting in an aging population. We identified lack of community organization and leadership and increasing number of abandoned houses that could turn into Aedes aegypti breeding sites. The formative work helped to better define the geographic areas that the study would cover, evaluate the acceptability of innovative vector control methods, and identify communication methods used by residents. With this information, challenges and potential solutions in recruiting participants were anticipated, and the community engagement and communications plans were developed. We recommend selecting clusters before research, because opinions towards mosquito control technologies could vary in added clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen L. Pérez-Guerra
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Coral Rosado-Santiago
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Sue A. Ramos
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Karla M. Marrero
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Gladys González-Zeno
- Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Julieanne Miranda-Bermúdez
- Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Marianyoly Ortíz-Ortíz
- Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Vanessa Rivera-Amill
- Ponce Research Institute, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Stephen Waterman
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Paz-Bailey
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Liliana Sánchez-González
- Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dengue Branch, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
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Wise IJ, Borry P. An Ethical Overview of the CRISPR-Based Elimination of Anopheles gambiae to Combat Malaria. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2022; 19:371-380. [PMID: 35175513 PMCID: PMC9463432 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-022-10172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Approximately a quarter of a billion people around the world suffer from malaria each year. Most cases are located in sub-Saharan Africa where Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes are the principal vectors of this public health problem. With the use of CRISPR-based gene drives, the population of mosquitoes can be modified, eventually causing their extinction. First, we discuss the moral status of the organism and argue that using genetically modified mosquitoes to combat malaria should not be abandoned based on some moral value of A. gambiae. Secondly, we argue that environmental impact studies should be performed to obtain an accurate account of the possible effects of a potential eradication of the organism. However, the risks from the purposeful extinction of A. gambiae should not overtake the benefits of eradicating malaria and risk assessments should be used to determine acceptable risks. Thirdly, we argue that the eventual release of the genetically modified mosquitoes will depend on transparency, community involvement, and cooperation between different nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- India Jane Wise
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law (CBMER), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box, 7001 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law (CBMER), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box, 7001 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Kahamba NF, Finda M, Ngowo HS, Msugupakulya BJ, Baldini F, Koekemoer LL, Ferguson HM, Okumu FO. Using ecological observations to improve malaria control in areas where Anopheles funestus is the dominant vector. Malar J 2022; 21:158. [PMID: 35655190 PMCID: PMC9161514 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04198-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The most important malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa are Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles funestus, and Anopheles coluzzii. Of these, An. funestus presently dominates in many settings in east and southern Africa. While research on this vector species has been impeded by difficulties in creating laboratory colonies, available evidence suggests it has certain ecological vulnerabilities that could be strategically exploited to greatly reduce malaria transmission in areas where it dominates. This paper examines the major life-history traits of An. funestus, its aquatic and adult ecologies, and its responsiveness to key interventions. It then outlines a plausible strategy for reducing malaria transmission by the vector and sustaining the gains over the medium to long term. To illustrate the propositions, the article uses data from south-eastern Tanzania where An. funestus mediates over 85% of malaria transmission events and is highly resistant to key public health insecticides, notably pyrethroids. Both male and female An. funestus rest indoors and the females frequently feed on humans indoors, although moderate to high degrees of zoophagy can occur in areas with large livestock populations. There are also a few reports of outdoor-biting by the species, highlighting a broader range of behavioural phenotypes that can be considered when designing new interventions to improve vector control. In comparison to other African malaria vectors, An. funestus distinctively prefers permanent and semi-permanent aquatic habitats, including river streams, ponds, swamps, and spring-fed pools. The species is therefore well-adapted to sustain its populations even during dry months and can support year-round malaria transmission. These ecological features suggest that highly effective control of An. funestus could be achieved primarily through strategic combinations of species-targeted larval source management and high quality insecticide-based methods targeting adult mosquitoes in shelters. If done consistently, such an integrated strategy has the potential to drastically reduce local populations of An. funestus and significantly reduce malaria transmission in areas where this vector species dominates. To sustain the gains, the programmes should be complemented with gradual environmental improvements such as house modification to maintain biting exposure at a bare minimum, as well as continuous engagements of the resident communities and other stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najat F Kahamba
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania.
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Marceline Finda
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Halfan S Ngowo
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Betwel J Msugupakulya
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francesco Baldini
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lizette L Koekemoer
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Heather M Ferguson
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fredros O Okumu
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P. O. Box 53, Ifakara, Tanzania.
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G128QQ, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
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Abstract
Health promotion involves social and environmental interventions designed to benefit and protect health. It often harmfully impacts the environment through air and water pollution, medical waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and other externalities. We consider potential conflicts between health promotion and environmental protection and why and how the healthcare industry might promote health while protecting environments. After probing conflicts between promoting health and protecting the environment we highlight the essential role that environmental resources play in health and healthcare to show that environmental protection is a form of health promotion. We then explore relationships between three radical forms of health promotion and the environment: (1) lowering the human birth rate; (2) transforming the food system; and (3) genetically modifying mosquitos. We conclude that healthcare and other industries and their institutions and leaders have responsibilities to re-consider and modify their priorities, policies, and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl C Macpherson
- Bioethics Division, Department of Clinical Skills, St George's University, and the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF), St George's, Grenada
| | - Elise Smith
- The Centre de recherche en éthique (CRÉ), and the Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada
| | - Travis N Rieder
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
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