CRISPR can stop malaria spread by editing a single gene in mosquitos

Scientists have made a breakthrough in using CRISPR gene-editing therapy to prevent diseases, specifically malaria. A team of researchers has found a way to edit a single gene in mosquitoes to prevent them from transmitting malaria. This could potentially lead to the release of genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild to prevent some of the 600,000 malaria deaths that occur each year. Mosquitoes infect up to 263 million people yearly with malaria, and efforts to reduce their populations have stalled due to resistance to insecticides and drugs. The researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 "scissors" to replace an unwanted amino acid that transmits malaria with a benign version. The altered mosquitoes can still bite people with malaria and pick up parasites, but they cannot spread them to others. The new amino acid blocks parasites from reaching the salivary glands, preventing infection in people or animals. This method does not affect the health or reproduction capabilities of mosquitoes, allowing the genetically modified trait to be passed down to offspring and spread through populations. The researchers believe this technique could be used to control malaria in the real world. By harnessing nature's own genetic tools, the researchers have turned mosquitoes into allies against malaria.