Gene Drive Technology for Anopheles Mosquito Control: Mechanisms, Safety, and Ethical Considerations
Masika Anna Mahinda
Department of Pharmacy Kampala International University Uganda
Email: mahindamasika@studwc.kiu.ac.ug
ABSTRACT
Malaria remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical regions, with Anopheles mosquitoes serving as the primary vectors. Traditional vector control methods faced challenges including insecticide resistance and operational limitations. Gene drive technology represented a novel approach that harnesses molecular mechanisms to spread desired genetic modifications through mosquito populations at accelerated rates, offering potential paradigm shifts in vector control strategies. This review examined the molecular mechanisms underlying gene drive systems in Anopheles mosquitoes, evaluated their safety profiles and ecological implications, and explored the ethical dimensions surrounding their potential deployment for malaria control. A comprehensive literature search of peer-reviewed journals, regulatory documents, and expert consensus statements published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted, focusing on CRISPR-based gene drives, ecological modeling, biosafety assessments, and bioethics frameworks. CRISPR Cas9-mediated gene drives demonstrated high transmission rates through mosquito populations, with several designs, including population suppression and modification approaches, showing efficacy in laboratory settings. Molecular mechanisms involved targeted gene disruption or trait insertion with super-Mendelian inheritance patterns. Safety concerns encompassed unintended ecological effects, resistance evolution, and transboundary spread. Ethical considerations centered on informed consent, environmental justice, and governance frameworks for testing and deployment. Current evidence indicates substantial technical progress but reveals significant gaps in ecological risk assessment, long-term stability evaluation, and consensus on regulatory pathways. Gene drive technology demonstrated considerable promise for Anopheles control, yet successful implementation requires rigorous safety testing, robust governance structures, and meaningful community engagement before field deployment can be ethically justified.
Keywords: Gene drive, CRISPR Cas9, Anopheles gambiae, Malaria vector control, Biosafety
CITE AS: Masika Anna Mahinda (2026). Gene Drive Technology for Anopheles Mosquito Control: Mechanisms, Safety, and Ethical Considerations. IAA Journal of Biological Sciences 14(1):29-35.