Health News: Mosquito That Can Eradicate Malaria?
In one of the most awesome breakthroughs in the history of potentially deadly malaria, U.S. scientists claim that they have created a new strain of mosquito that sees a future of no malaria.
The disease is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is found in the female Anopheles stephensi mosquito. A bite from the said infected mosquito will result to parasites multiplying in the human liver, and finally infecting red blood cells.
Scientists from the University of California used the CRISPR gene-editing tool to create the new strain that hopefully will one day erase all signs of malaria in the community. The tool is able to access a cell's nucleus, which means DNA can be removed, mutated genes can be replaced, and finally, new and improved genes can be inserted.
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The new gene created is said to stop malaria transmission by up to 99.5 percent in the offspring of mosquitoes injected with the gene, and according to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the results are a "significant first step" toward providing a world without malaria to people of the future.
Anthony James, Distinguished Professor of molecular biology and biochemistry and microbiology and molecular genetics at U.C.'s Irvine campus, said, "This opens up the real promise that this technique can be adapted for eliminating malaria."
On the other hand, James and his team said further studies and research are needed to prove that the gene can stop transmission of the disease.
CNN says about 438,000 people have reportedly died of malaria this year, with statistics that show most of the cases were found in the Sub-Saharan areas of Africa. The outlet also warns that those who suspect of having contracted the infection should immediately seek help from health experts since untreated malaria can lead to extreme health issues and even death.
According to the World Health Organization, symptoms appear between 10 and 15 days after being bitten. It is recommended that patients proceed to health facilities when fever, headache, and vomiting occur.
