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Dicko B, Kodio S, Samoura H, Traoré F, Sykes N, Drabo M, Thizy D, Coche I, Robinson B, Sanogo K, Yagouré B, Diop S, Coulibaly MB. Stakeholder engagement in the development of genetically modified mosquitoes for malaria control in West Africa: lessons learned from 10 years of Target Malaria's work in Mali. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 11:1286694. [PMID: 38249804 PMCID: PMC10797414 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1286694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
From 2012 to 2023, the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), based out of the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), was part of the Target Malaria research consortium working towards developing novel gene drive-based tools for controlling populations of malaria vector mosquitoes. As part of this work, Target Malaria Mali has undertaken a range of in-depth engagement activities with the communities where their research is conducted and with other stakeholders nationally. These activities were meant to ensure that the project's activities took place with the agreement of those communities, and that those communities were able to play a role in shaping the project's approach to ensure that its eventual outcomes were in line with their needs and concerns. This paper aims to conduct a critical assessment of those 10 years of stakeholder engagement in order to identify good practices which can inform future engagement work on gene drive research in West Africa. It sets out a range of approaches and practices that enabled the Target Malaria Mali team to engage a variety of stakeholders, to share information, collect feedback, and determine community agreement, in a manner that was inclusive, effective, and culturally appropriate. These can be useful tools for those working on gene drive research and other area-wide vector control methods in West African contexts to ensure that their research is aligned with the interests of the communities who are intended to be its ultimate beneficiaries, and to allow those communities to play a meaningful role in the research process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bakara Dicko
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Souleymane Kodio
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Hatouma Samoura
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Fatoumata Traoré
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Naima Sykes
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Kadiatou Sanogo
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Bilkissou Yagouré
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Samba Diop
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Mamadou B. Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
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Nankya H, Wamala E, Alibu VP, Barugahare J. Community engagement in genetics and genomics research: a qualitative study of the perspectives of genetics and genomics researchers in Uganda. BMC Med Ethics 2024; 25:1. [PMID: 38166828 PMCID: PMC10763360 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-023-00995-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generally, there is unanimity about the value of community engagement in health-related research. There is also a growing tendency to view genetics and genomics research (GGR) as a special category of research, the conduct of which including community engagement (CE) as needing additional caution. One of the motivations of this study was to establish how differently if at all, we should think about CE in GGR. AIM To assess the perspectives of genetics and genomics researchers in Uganda on CE in GGR. METHOD A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted at Makerere University and Uganda Virus Research Institute. Twenty-five individuals participated, the majority being male (sixteen). Participants included nineteen genetics and genomics researchers (researchers and research coordinators), two CE officers, three nurses and one nursing counsellor. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and analyzed in a thematic manner using NVivo version 12 Plus. STUDY FINDINGS Thirteen of the respondents had conducted CE in their GGR in either a geographical and disease-specific community. Some respondents said CE principles are the same and there is no need for special consideration for CE in GGR. Others gave ethical issues in GGR that require special consideration for CE in such research and these were categorized into six themes: GGR is new to communities, Difficulty in communicating GGR by the researchers, Genes are shared in communities, Cultural sensitivities against GGR, Community attitude toward GGR, Some GGR studies take long to end, and Negotiation of research benefits. Special considerations for CE when conducting GGR were suggested and categorized into seven themes: creating awareness of GGR in communities, obtaining both community acceptance and individual consent, CE team composition, involve communities in solving GGR challenges, prolong CE in some GGR, develop guidelines for CE in GGR, and legal considerations on GGR. CONCLUSION GGR was characterized by special issues that require special CE considerations for such research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Nankya
- Department of Philosophy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Edward Wamala
- Department of Philosophy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Vincent Pius Alibu
- Department of Biochemistry and Sports Science, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - John Barugahare
- Department of Philosophy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
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Lessons learned from the introduction of genetically engineered crops: relevance to gene drive deployment in Africa. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:285-311. [PMID: 35545692 PMCID: PMC9135826 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00300-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The application of gene drives to achieve public health goals, such as the suppression of Anopheles gambiae populations, or altering their ability to sustain Plasmodium spp. infections, has received much attention from researchers. If successful, this genetic tool can contribute greatly to the wellbeing of people in regions severely affected by malaria. However, engineered gene drives are a product of genetic engineering, and the experience to date, gained through the deployment of genetically engineered (GE) crops, is that GE technology has had difficulty receiving public acceptance in Africa, a key region for the deployment of gene drives. The history of GE crop deployment in this region provides good lessons for the deployment of gene drives as well. GE crops have been in commercial production for 24 years, since the planting of the first GE soybean crop in 1996. During this time, regulatory approvals and farmer adoption of these crops has grown rapidly in the Americas, and to a lesser extent in Asia. Their safety has been recognized by numerous scientific organizations. Economic and health benefits have been well documented in the countries that have grown them. However, only one transgenic crop event is being grown in Europe, and only in two countries in that region. Europe has been extremely opposed to GE crops, due in large part to the public view of agriculture that opposes “industrial” farming. This attitude is reflected in a highly precautionary regulatory and policy environment, which has highly influenced how African countries have dealt with GE technology and are likely to be applied to future genetic technologies, including gene drives. Furthermore, a mistrust of government regulatory agencies, the publication of scientific reports claiming adverse effects of GE crops, the involvement of corporations as the first GE crop developers, the lack of identifiable consumer benefit, and low public understanding of the technology further contributed to the lack of acceptance. Coupled with more emotionally impactful messaging to the public by opposition groups and the general tendency of negative messages to be more credible than positive ones, GE crops failed to gain a place in European agriculture, thus influencing African acceptance and government policy. From this experience, the following lessons have been learned that would apply to the deployment of gene drives, in Africa: It will be important to establish trust in those who are developing the technology, as well as in those who are making regulatory decisions. Engagement of the community, where those who are involved are able to make genuine contributions to the decision-making process, are necessary to achieve that trust. The use of tools to facilitate participatory modeling could be considered in order to enhance current community engagement efforts. Trusted, accurate information on gene drives should be made available to the general public, journalists, and scientists who are not connected with the field. Those sources of information should also be able to summarize and analyze important scientific results and emerging issues in the field in order to place those developments in the proper context. Engagement should involve more opportunities for participation of stakeholders in conceptualizing, planning, and decision-making. Diversifying the source of funding for gene drive research and development, particularly by participation of countries and regional bodies, would show that country or regional interests are represented. Efforts by developers and neutral groups to provide the public and decisionmakers with a more thorough understanding of the benefits and risks of this technology, especially to local communities, would help them reach more informed decisions. A better understanding of gene drive technology can be fostered by governments, as part of established biosafety policy in several African countries. Developers and neutral groups could also be helpful in increasing public understanding of the technology of genetic engineering, including gene drives. Effective messaging to balance the messaging of groups opposed to gene drives is needed. These messages should be not only factual but also have emotional and intuitive appeal.
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Roberts AJ, Thizy D. Articulating ethical principles guiding Target Malaria's engagement strategy. Malar J 2022; 21:35. [PMID: 35123487 PMCID: PMC8818152 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04062-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in gene drive research has engendered a lively discussion about community engagement and the ethical standards the work hinges on. While there is broad agreement regarding ethical principles and established best practices for conducting clinical public health research, projects developing area-wide vector control technologies and initiating ambitious engagement strategies raise specific questions: who to engage, when to engage, and how? When responding to these fundamental questions, with few best practices available for guidance, projects need to reflect on and articulate the ethical principles that motivate and justify their approach. Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research consortium that aims to develop and share malaria control and elimination technology. The consortium is currently investigating the potential of a genetic technique called gene drive to control populations of malaria vectoring mosquito species Anopheles gambiae. Due to the potentially broad geographical, environmental impact of gene drive technology, Target Malaria has committed to a robust form of tailored engagement with the local communities in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Uganda, where research activities are currently taking place. This paper presents the principles guiding Target Malaria's engagement strategy. Herein the authors (i) articulate the principles; (ii) explain the rationale for selecting them; (iii) share early lessons about the application of the principles. Since gene drive technology is an emerging technology, with few best practices available for guidance, the authors hope by sharing these lessons, to add to the growing literature regarding engagement strategies and practices for area-wide vector control, and more specifically, for gene drive research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Roberts
- Institute On Ethics and Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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Pare Toe L, Barry N, Ky AD, Kekele S, Meda W, Bayala K, Drabo M, Thizy D, Diabate A. Small-scale release of non-gene drive mosquitoes in Burkina Faso: from engagement implementation to assessment, a learning journey. Malar J 2021; 20:395. [PMID: 34627240 PMCID: PMC8502271 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03929-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Innovative tools are needed to complement the existing approach for malaria elimination. Gene drive mosquitoes are one potential new technology in the control of malaria vectors. Target Malaria is one of the research projects developing this technology, and in July 2019, the project proceeded to an important step for this evaluation pathway: the small-scale release of non-gene drive sterile male mosquitoes in a village in Burkina Faso. In addition to the entomological and laboratory work to prepare for this important milestone, significant community and stakeholder engagement work was done. The existing guidelines on gene drive mosquito provide an overall framework for such engagement work. However, they do not provide a road map on how to proceed or what benchmarks should be used to assess this work. Methods This study provides a review of engagement activities relevant to field trials on non-gene drive genetically-modified mosquitoes as well as an assessment framework—using both qualitative and quantitative studies as well as an audit procedure. The latter was implemented to evaluate whether the release activities could proceed with the appropriate level of agreement from the community. Results This paper shows the importance of this first phase of work to innovate and learn about engagement processes for responsible research in the field of genetic approaches for malaria vector control. The function of these assessments is crucial for the learning agenda. The assessments demonstrated ways to increase understanding and ensure effective progress with field studies and, therefore, the pathway for responsible research. Conclusion Gene drive technology is increasingly considered as a promising approach to control vector borne diseases, in particular malaria. Stakeholders’ involvement in this research process is one of the recurring requirements in international guidance documents. With this paper Target Malaria offers an opportunity to explore the practical achievements and challenges of stakeholder engagement during early phases of a technology evaluation, and in particular how it implemented an assessment framework to learn from its experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Pare Toe
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
| | - Nourou Barry
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Anselme D Ky
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Souleymane Kekele
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Wilfrid Meda
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Korotimi Bayala
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Mouhamed Drabo
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Delphine Thizy
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Abdoulaye Diabate
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, BP 545, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
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Oliva CF, Benedict MQ, Collins CM, Baldet T, Bellini R, Bossin H, Bouyer J, Corbel V, Facchinelli L, Fouque F, Geier M, Michaelakis A, Roiz D, Simard F, Tur C, Gouagna LC. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) against Aedes Species Mosquitoes: A Roadmap and Good Practice Framework for Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Pilot Field Trials. INSECTS 2021; 12:191. [PMID: 33668374 PMCID: PMC7996155 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are invasive mosquito species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a powerful complement to most commonly-used approaches, in part, because this technique is ecologically benign, specific, and non-persistent in the environment if releases are stopped. Because SIT and other similar vector control strategies are becoming of increasing interest to many countries, we offer here a pragmatic and accessible 'roadmap' for the pre-pilot and pilot phases to guide any interested party. This will support stakeholders, non-specialist scientists, implementers, and decision-makers. Applying these concepts will ensure, given adequate resources, a sound basis for local field trialing and for developing experience with the technique in readiness for potential operational deployment. This synthesis is based on the available literature, in addition to the experience and current knowledge of the expert contributing authors in this field. We describe a typical path to successful pilot testing, with the four concurrent development streams of Laboratory, Field, Stakeholder Relations, and the Business and Compliance Case. We provide a graphic framework with criteria that must be met in order to proceed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clélia F. Oliva
- Centre Technique Interprofessionnel des Fruits et Légumes (CTIFL), Centre Opérationnel de Balandran, 751 Chemin de Balandran, 30127 Bellegarde, France;
- Collectif TIS (Technique de l’Insecte Stérile), 751 Chemin de Balandran, 30127 Bellegarde, France
| | | | - C Matilda Collins
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 1NE, UK;
| | - Thierry Baldet
- ASTRE (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques, Ecosystèmes), Cirad, Univ Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France; (T.B.); (J.B.)
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “Giorgio Nicoli”, S.r.l. Via Sant’Agata, 835, 40014 Crevalcore, Italy;
| | - Hervé Bossin
- Institut Louis Malardé, Papeete, 98713 Tahiti, French Polynesia;
| | - Jérémy Bouyer
- ASTRE (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques, Ecosystèmes), Cirad, Univ Montpellier, 34398 Montpellier, France; (T.B.); (J.B.)
- Insect Pest Control Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Programme of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, IAEA Vienna, Wagramer Strasse 5, 1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vincent Corbel
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Luca Facchinelli
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Florence Fouque
- TDR (Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases), WHO, 20 Avenue Appia, 1121 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Martin Geier
- Biogents AG, Weissenburgstr. 22, 93055 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Antonios Michaelakis
- Benaki Phytopathological Institute. 8, S. Delta str., Kifissia, 14561 Athens, Greece;
| | - David Roiz
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Frédéric Simard
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
| | - Carlos Tur
- Grupo Tragsa–KM. 4,5 Bajo, A28476208-EMPRE, Moncada, 46113 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Louis-Clément Gouagna
- UMR MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle), IRD-CNRS-Univ. Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; (V.C.); (D.R.); (F.S.)
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