RA&RM of Living Modified Mosquitoes

This Discussion Group is now closed.

The objective of this Discussion Group is to provide input to the AHTEG Sub-working Group (SWG) for the development of a guidance document on risk assessment and risk management of living modified mosquitoes. For more information on the work of the AHTEG and its SWGs, please follow this link.

NOTE: To participate in this discussion, you must be registered in the Open-ended Online Forum (go to the Forum homepage for more information) AND signed-in to the BCH. To sign-in please use link in the top-right corner of the screen.

Contents

Please click on one of the following links:

• Ongoing discussions
• Introduction to the work of the SWG
• Draft outline of the guidance document
• Guiding questions
• Suggested readings

Ongoing discussions

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Introduction to the work of the SWG

The sub-working group on LM Mosquitoes (SWG-LMM) was formed to produce modalities for development of guidance documents on risk assessment and risk management of living modified mosquitoes. In the context of the steps contained in paragraph 8 of Annex III of the Protocol, the general structure of these guidance documents should be organized by providing: (i) points to consider; (ii) rationales for the points to consider; and (iii) relevant bibliographies and supporting documents.

Living modified mosquitoes are currently being developed for use in vector control related to human diseases, such as malaria and dengue. Various strategies are being used to control the population of the vectors by reducing their population (population reduction strategy) or reducing their vector competence (population replacement strategy). Major challenges face the deployment of recombinant DNA strategies to combat vector related diseases. Lack of a clear regulatory framework for the release of living modified mosquitoes is a significant challenge. Risk assessments and public consultation may become a lengthy process due to the uniqueness of the strategies and also the lack of experience in regulatory agencies to handle such programmes. Both the environment and health impacts will have to be taken into consideration.

The participants to the Open-ended Online Forum are asked to give ad hoc advise to the work of the SWG-LMM.

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Draft outline of the guidance document

This draft outline was prepared by the SWG and provides the basis for the discussions on this topic.

• Draft outline of the guidance document on RA&RM of LM Mosquitoes - June 2009.

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Guiding questions

The following questions were prepared by the Chair of the SWG to assist the discussions on this topic.

• What should be the focus of the SWG-LMM?
  1. all LM mosquitoes known to cause serious human diseases or
  2. a specific mosquito specie causing a specific disease or
  3. specific trait/genetic modification?
• What existing guidance documents are useful examples and can help in identifying specific approaches for the risk assessment of LM mosquitoes?
• What are the potential risks or adverse effects the risk assessment of LM mosquitoes should focus on ?
• Given the current status of LM Mosquitoes development, what uncertainties should be addressed?

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Suggested readings

• Gould F, Magori K, Huang YX (2006) Genetic strategies for controlling mosquito-borne diseases. American Scientist 94: 238-246.
• IAEA (2006) Status and risk assessment of the use of transgenic arthropods in plant protection.
• Knols BGJ, Bossin HC, Mukabana WR, Robinson AS (2007) Transgenic mosquitoes and the fight against malaria: managing technology push in a turbulent GMO world. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygine 77(Suppl 6): 232–242.
• WHO (2009) Planning meetings on Progress and Prospects for the Use of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to Prevent Disease Transmission: Meeting 1. Technical Consultations on the Current Status and Planning for Future Development. Geneva, May 4-6, 2009.

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