CRISPR-DRIVEN VECTOR CONTROL: GENE EDITING MOSQUITO POPULATIONS TO MITIGATE ZOONOTIC SPILLOVER

Abstract

 This approach to self-propagating CRISPR is a life-altering method to curb the infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. They may reduce the size of mosquito population which causes diseases or eliminate them altogether.  The paper examined the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in the mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae. It did so by concentrating on doublesex gene in order to render females sterile and reducing the population.  Accessed in the laboratory five generations of modified lines displayed an exceptionally high rate of drive (eta > 96 percent). They also contained these lines with decreased reproductive capacity and increased male-biased sex ratios.  Semi-field mesocosm trials revealed that the population will go extinct within eight to ten reproductive generations relative to release ratios of 1:1 and 1:3.  In addition, the ecological modelling also indicated that the deployment scenarios involving gene drive would lead to a large reduction in entomological inoculation rates (EIR) and vectorial capacity.  The model on agent-based simulations indicated that the risk of spillover would fall by 72 percent in 10 years but this was sensitive with regard to the development of the gene drive resistance and migratory inputs.  As indicated in interviews with stakeholders, the control using CRISPR is viewed with a touch of optimism. They emphasized the point of biosafety control and reasonable use in the regions where the disease is prevalent.  The findings demonstrate that gene drives work and can be applied in scale to manage vectors, yet sound alarm bells about safety and ethical and ecological considerations.  This integrative study sets the pace of future advancement of CRISPR-based mosquito control as a means of preventing subsequent zoonotic spillovers.