Containment Studies of TransgenicMosquitoes in Disease Endemic Countries:The Broad Concept of Facilities Readiness

Abstract

Genetic strategies for large scale pest or vector control using modified insects are not yet operational in Africa,and currently rely on import of the modified strains to begin preliminary, contained studies. Early involvementof research teams from participating countries is crucial to evaluate candidate field interventions. Following therecommended phased approach for novel strategies, evaluation should begin with studies in containmentfacilities. Experiences to prepare facilities and build international teams for research on transgenic mosquitoesrevealed some important organizing themes underlying the concept of ‘‘facilities readiness,’’ or the point atwhich studies in containment may proceed, in sub-Saharan African settings. First, ‘‘compliance’’ for researchwith novel or non-native living organisms was defined as the fulfillment of all legislative and regulatoryrequirements. This is not limited to regulations regarding use of transgenic organisms. Second, the concept of‘‘colony utility’’ was related to the characteristics of laboratory colonies being produced so that results ofstudies may be validated across time, sites, and strains or technologies; so that the appropriate candidate strainsare moved forward toward field studies. Third, the importance of achieving ‘‘defensible science’’ was recog-nized, including that study conclusions can be traced back to evidence, covering the concerns of variousstakeholders over the long term. This, combined with good stewardship of resources and appropriate funding,covers a diverse set of criteria for declaring when ‘‘facilities readiness’’ has been attained. It is proposed that,despite the additional demands on time and resources, only with the balance of and rigorous achievement ofeach of these organizing themes can collaborative research into novel strategies in vector or pest control reliablyprogress past initial containment studies