Abstract Deployment of Innovative Genetic Vector Control Strategies: Progress on Regulatory and Biosafety Aspects, Capacity Building and Development of Best-Practice Guidance

As. Pac. J. Mol. Biol. & Biotech., July 2009 Vol. 17, 65-74

Deployment of Innovative Genetic Vector Control Strategies: Progress on Regulatory and Biosafety Aspects, Capacity Building and Development of Best-Practice Guidance

Camilla J. Beech¹,S.S. Vasan^1,2, M. Megan Quinlan³ , Margareth Lara Capurro⁴, Luke Alphey^1,5, Vicente Bayard⁶, Madama Bouaré⁷, Maria Corena McLeod⁸, Pattamaporn Kittayapong⁹, James V.Lavery<sup.10,11< sup="">, Lee Han Lim¹², Mauro Toledo Marrelli¹³, J. Nagaraju¹⁴, Kenneth Ombongi¹⁵, Rofina Yasmin Othman^16,17, Vilasini Pillai¹⁸, Janine Ramsey¹⁹, Rachel Reuben²⁰, Robert I. Rose²¹ ,Brij Kishore Tyagi²⁰, and John Mumford³*

¹Oxitec Limited, 71 Milton Park, Oxford OX14 4RX, UK;
² University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK;
³Imperial College London, Centre for Environmental Policy, Silwood Campus, Ascot SL5. 7PY, UK;
⁴Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Parasitologia, Intituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Av. Prof Lineu Prestes, 1374, Butantan, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil;
⁵University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK;
⁶Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panama City 0816-02593, Panama;
⁷Université de Bamako, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, BP: E3206, Colline de Badalabougou, Bamako, Mali;
⁸ Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA;
⁹Mahidol University, Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University at Salaya, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand;
¹⁰St. Michael’s Hospital, Centre for Research on Inner City Health & Centre for Global Health Research, Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada;
¹¹University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Joint Centre for Bioethics, 70 Richmond Street E., 4th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W6, Canada;
¹²Institute for Medical Research (Ministry of Health Malaysia), Medical Entomology Unit, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur 50588, Malaysia;
¹³Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Departamento de Epidemiologia, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715 – CEP 01246-904, São Paulo/SP, Brazil;
¹⁴Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, 4-87/1, ECIL Road, Nacharam, Hyderabad, 500 076, India;
¹⁵University of Nairobi, Department of History, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya;
¹⁶University of Malaya, Genetics and Molecular Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia;
¹⁷Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Malaysia), National Biotechnology Division, Level 3 & 4, Block C4, Complex C, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya 62662, Malaysia;
¹⁸Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (Malaysia), Conservation & Environmental Management Division, Level 2, Podium 2, No. 25, Persiaran Perdana Wisma Sumber Asli, Precinct 4, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Putrajaya, 62574, Malaysia;
¹⁹Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública,19 Calle Poniente esq 4ta Norte, Tapachula, Chiapas, 30700, México;
²⁰Centre for Research in Medical Entomology, Indian Council of Medical Research, 4 Sarojini Street, Chinna Chokkikulam, Madurai 625 002, India;
²¹Independent Biotechnology Consultant, 8322, Sharon Drive, Frederick, Maryland 21704, USA.

*Author for Correspondence.
Imperial College London,
Centre for Environmental Policy,
Silwood Campus,
Ascot SL5 7PY, UK
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract.
In the ongoing fight against vectors of human diseases, disease endemic countries (DECs) may soon benefit from innovative control strategies involving modified insect vectors. For instance, three promising methods (viz. RIDL [Release of Insects with a Dominant Lethal], Wolbachia infection, and refractory mosquito technology) are being developed by researchers around the world to combat Aedes aegypti, the primary mosquito vector of viral fevers such as dengue (serotypes 1–4), chikungunya and yellow fever. Some of these techniques are already being extended to other vectors such as Aedes albopictus (the secondary vector of these diseases) and Anopheles mosquito species that transmit malaria. To enable DECs to take advantage of these promising methods, initiatives are underway that relate to biosafety, risk assessment and management, and ethical–social–cultural (ESC) aspects to consider prior to and during the possible deployment of these technologies as part of an integrated vector control programme. This is a brief overview of the objectives and timelines of some of the initiatives being championed by international institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Grand Challenges in Global Health (GCGH) initiative co-sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Abstract Deployment of Innovative Genetic Vector Control Strategies: Progress on Regulatory and Biosafety Aspects, Capacity Building and Development of Best-Practice Guidance

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