Official announcements from governments or the UK-based biotechnology company

Djibouti Releases GMO Anopheles Stephensi Mosquitoes to Combat Urban Malaria Wave

May 23, 2024, 04:30 PM

Djibouti has initiated a project to release genetically modified (GMO) mosquitoes to combat an urban malaria wave. The first batch of non-biting, genetically engineered Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes was released to curb the spread of an invasive species that transmits malaria. Tens of thousands of these GMO mosquitoes, developed by a UK-based biotechnology company, have been released into the open air. This initiative aims to prevent the invasive species from swamping African cities and reversing years of progress in tackling malaria.