Genetic Control of Malaria and Dengue

Genetic Control of Malaria and Dengue focuses on the knowledge, technology, regulation and ethics of using genetically modified mosquitoes to interrupt the transmission of important vector-borne diseases including Malaria. It contains coverage of the current state of knowledge of vector-borne diseases and how they are currently controlled; vaccine, drug and insecticide development; various strategies for altering the genome of mosquitoes in beneficial ways; and the regulatory, ethical and social environment concerning these strategies.

For more than five decades, the prospect of using genetically-modified mosquitoes to control vector-borne disease transmission has been a purely hypothetical scenario. We simply did not have the technology or basic knowledge to be able to do it. With the explosion of field trials and potential interventions in development, Genetic Control of Malaria and Dengue provides a comprehensive overview of research in genetics, microbiology, virology, and ecology involved in the development and implementation of genetic modification programs for virus and disease control. This book is meant to provide a practical guide to researchers, regulators and the general public about how this technology actually works, how it can be improved, and what is still unknown.

1. Transgenic Pests and Human Health: A Short Overview of Social, Cultural, and Scientific Considerations
2. Concept and History of Genetic Control
3. Considerations for disrupting malaria transmission in Africa using genetically-modified mosquitoes; ecology of Anopheline disease vectors, and current methods of control
4. Ecology of malaria vectors, and current (non-genetic) methods of control in the Asia region
5. Ecology of Anopheles darlingi, the primary malaria vector in the Americas, and current non-genetic methods of vector control
6. Considerations for Disrupting Dengue Virus Transmission; Ecology of Aedes aegypti and Current (Non-genetic) Methods of Control
7. The Challenge of Disrupting Vectorial Capacity
8. Gene insertion and deletion in mosquitoes
9. Gene Drive Strategies for Population Replacement
10. Exploring the sex-determination pathway for control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases
11. Disruption of Mosquito Olfaction
12. Disruption of mosquito blood meal protein metabolism
13. Engineering Pathogen Resistance in Mosquitoes
14. Genetic control of malaria and dengue using Wolbachia
15. Employing the Mosquito Microflora for Disease Control
16. Regulation of Transgenic Mosquitoes
17. Economic analysis of genetically modified mosquito strategies
18. Community engagement
19. Impact of genetic modification of vector populations on the malaria eradication agenda

• Includes coverage of vectorial capacity, critical to understanding vector-borne disease transmission
• Provides a summary of the concepts of both population suppression and population replacement
• Contains pivotal coverage of ethical and ecological ramifications of genetics-based control strategies