The government of Burkina Faso announced the suspension of the activities of the “Targat Malaria” project, which aims to combat mosquitoes that transmit malaria using genetic modification techniques, after a debate that lasted for years about the integrity of this technology.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation said that the project was completely suspended, and that the containers that included a genetic average mosquito have been officially closed since August 18, with samples to be destroyed according to specific scientific procedures.
The ministry added that the mosquitoes, which were previously launched in one of the villages of the province of Ehoe, underwent technical treatment, stressing that it does not carry genetic characteristics that can be transmitted to the following generations.
On the other hand, local organizations criticized the project, warning of the dangers of “genetic pulse” technology that are used to spread genetic characteristics within a specific type in order to eliminate it.
Activists said this technology is still unsafe in the field, and that the amended mosquito eggs are imported from research institutions in Europe without sufficient guarantees.
These bodies warned that the effects of these amended organisms on health and the environment are still unknown, and they may be permanent and not adjustable.
It is noteworthy that the “Targat Malaria” project began in Burkina Faso in 2012 as part of an international alliance seeking to develop sustainable genetic solutions to reduce the spread of malaria, which is one of the most prominent causes of death in the African continent.