Kill or Be Killed? WHO Combats Mosquito Borne Illness

Delegates in the World Health Organization are busy preventing the spread of mosquito-borne illness.  

From a nation plagued by invasive mosquito species, the delegate from Italy describes his voting bloc’s resolution as focusing on genetic modification, specifically to change the genome of the mosquitoes to eradicate disease (specifically malaria and its forms) rather than the carrier. Some may wonder why eliminating mosquitoes as a species may not be a more viable solution- a question answered well by Thailand, who points out that these insects are a good food source for fish and frogs. Italy further detailed their bloc’s short term plan of action- increased production of existing vaccines to make them more accessible to the general public. 

But beyond that, what steps are being taken to initiate the genetic alteration of these insects? Most nations in the WHO stand of the belief that it starts with tracking the movement of mosquitoes to better anticipate their behavior. Italy and Denmark have similar goals, but different approaches. While Denmark believes a good starting point for this is to implant a sample batch of mosquitoes with micro trackers, Italy believes in the use of a digital application for residents of an area to report increased mosquito activity. Currently, the two nations are fleshing out a plan of action to hybridize their approaches and bring more effective measures globally.

What does this mean for India?

As a nation hounded by malaria, carrying 52% of all malaria deaths outside of sub-Saharan Africa (Severe Malaria Observatory), the importance of preventative measures against illness stemming from mosquitoes could not be more impressed upon us. We hope that these actions lead to an uptick of other preventative measures against these illnesses carried by mosquitoes. As long as the GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) approves any genetic modification, the Times fully supports any effort being made to eradicate these detriments to society.

Sources:

• WHO Delegate from Italy

• WHO Delegate from Denmark

• WHO Delegate from Thailand

• http://geacindia.gov.in/about-geac-india.aspx#:~:text=The%20Genetic%20Engineering%20Appraisal%20Committee,and%20Climate%20Change%20(MoEF%26CC).

• https://www.severemalaria.org/countries/india-0#:~:text=Malaria%20remains%20one%20of%20the,the%20South%20East%20Asia%20region.

By Mitran Raja | 23 March 2025