Applying the Protective Precautionary Principle to the Ethical Use of Gene Drive Technology for Anopheles gambiae Suppression in Malaria Control

What is it about?

Advancements in genome editing technology, such as gene drives, have made the suppression of Anopheles gambiae mosquito species possible. However, this approach remains controversial. In this paper, I argue that the Protective Precautionary Principle—a principle that emphasizes caution when implementing new technologies with potentially unforeseen consequences—provides a suitable framework for assessing the moral justification of suppressing Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. I contend that this procedure can only be justified in the context of laboratory research, as such a controlled setting minimizes the potential adverse consequences of mosquito suppression.

Featured Image