CRISPR-Cas9 and Mosquitoes: Have Scientists Determined How to Eradicate Malaria?

In 2016, the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London produced a scientific paper on the use of CRISPR-cas9–a controversial technology with the ability to alter DNA and edit genomes–in malaria-transmitting mosquitoes. As is mentioned in the study: “A CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive system targeting female reproduction in the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae.”

Cas9 is a protein enzyme that has the ability to cut foreign DNA. In earlier studies, scientists determined that it could be adapted, and controlled, allowing for more recent controversial topics, such as the CRISPR gene-edited twins in China. This can be done in two ways. The first method, non-homologous end joining, calls for the use of Cas9 to cut into DNA and then “gluing” the the two cuts back together. The second method, which is mentioned in the study, also uses Cas9 to cut into DNA, then inserts attP-GFP–described as the docking cassette–which is meant to produce a null phenotype.

Essentially, this allows for the controlled manipulation of A. gambiae’s reproductive system in female mosquitoes, making them unable to reproduce. Malaria is only transferable through female mosquitoes, which would ultimately help eliminate a significant portion of the mosquito population over a short segment of time, allowing for their eventual extinction.

Throughout human history, the topic of man-based extinction has been an important area of discussion. More importantly, the ethics of choosing which species should exist and which should not. The same rule of law should be applied in the discussion of mosquitoes. What is more significant that the direct impact that this will have are the adverse effects. As with any species, there is much we do not know about the role of mosquitoes as a prey and a predator. The ecosystem is sensitive to changes in existing life forms and the elimination of one species could disorient it in its entirety. These are some of the conditions that people must be mindful of. While malaria is severe, we must also consider the short- and long-term effects. It is not my decision, nor any other one person’s to make. Even this process of decision-making remains unclear, as mosquitoes frequently travel between borders, claiming many nationalities. If states such as China and Taiwan are unable to dispute territory in the South China Sea in a rational matter, the topic of selective gene manipulation of travelling mosquito populations will not be much easier.