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Published May 14, 2010 | Supplemental Material + Published
Journal Article Open

Perspectives of people in Mali toward genetically-modified mosquitoes for malaria control

Abstract

Background: Genetically-modified (GM) mosquitoes have been proposed as part of an integrated vector control strategy for malaria control. Public acceptance is essential prior to field trials, particularly since mosquitoes are a vector of human disease and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) face strong scepticism in developed and developing nations. Despite this, in sub-Saharan Africa, where the GM mosquito effort is primarily directed, very little data is available on perspectives to GMOs. Here, results are presented of a qualitative survey of public attitudes to GM mosquitoes for malaria control in rural and urban areas of Mali, West Africa between the months of October 2008 and June 2009. Methods: The sample consisted of 80 individuals - 30 living in rural communities, 30 living in urban suburbs of Bamako, and 20 Western-trained and traditional health professionals working in Bamako and Bandiagara. Questions were asked about the cause of malaria, heredity and selective breeding. This led to questions about genetic alterations, and acceptable conditions for a release of pest-resistant GM corn and malaria-refractory GM mosquitoes. Finally, participants were asked about the decision-making process in their community. Interviews were transcribed and responses were categorized according to general themes. Results: Most participants cited mosquitoes as one of several causes of malaria. The concept of the gene was not widely understood; however selective breeding was understood, allowing limited communication of the concept of genetic modification. Participants were open to a release of pest-resistant GM corn, often wanting to conduct a trial themselves. The concept of a trial was reapplied to GM mosquitoes, although less frequently. Participants wanted to see evidence that GM mosquitoes can reduce malaria prevalence without negative consequences for human health and the environment. For several participants, a mosquito control programme was preferred; however a transgenic release that satisfied certain requirements was usually acceptable. Conclusions: Although there were some dissenters, the majority of participants were pragmatic towards a release of GM mosquitoes. An array of social and cultural issues associated with malaria, mosquitoes and genetic engineering became apparent. If these can be successfully addressed, then social acceptance among the populations surveyed seems promising.

Additional Information

© 2010 Marshall et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received: 22 January 2010. Accepted: 14 May 2010. Published: 14 May 2010. The authors would like to thank Siaka Traore and Akouni Dougnon for help with translation of interview questions and responses, Dr Samba Diop and Dr Aaron Panofsky for helpful advice on survey conduct, and Dr Diane Paul for helpful advice on data analysis. We are also grateful to Dr Seydou Doumbia, Dr Mamadou Coulibaly, Dr Djibril Sangaré, Dr Cheick Traore and Catherine Ward whose constructive comments have greatly improved the manuscript. This research was supported by grant numbers 1R56AI072549 and 1R21AI062929 from the National Institutes of Health and by fellowships to John M. Marshall, Shannon Famenini and Charles E. Taylor from the UCLA Center for Society and Genetics. Authors' contributions: JMM, MBT and CET designed the study. JMM, MBT, MMT and CET performed the public attitude surveys. JMM, SF and CET analyzed the survey data. JMM wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Attached Files

Published - Marshall2010p10802Malaria_J.pdf

Supplemental Material - 1475-2875-9-128-s1.doc

Supplemental Material - 1475-2875-9-128-s2.pdf

Supplemental Material - 1475-2875-9-128-s3.doc

Supplemental Material - 1475-2875-9-128-s4.doc

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