The Burkinabe government Friday announced the termination of all activities linked to the Target Malaria anti-malaria initiative.
“The Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) informs the public that (…) all activities of the Target Malaria project have been halted across the national territory,” read a statement on social media.
The ministry added that facilities containing genetically modified mosquitoes have been sealed since August 18, 2025, and all remaining samples will be destroyed under a prescribed protocol.
The authorities further assured stakeholders that the genetically modified male mosquitoes without gene-drive elements released in the village of Souroukoudingan, in Houet Province, Guiriko Region, were carefully handled by the relevant technical services.
The Coalition for Monitoring Biotechnological Activities in Burkina Faso (CVAB) had strongly criticised the release of genetically modified male mosquitoes in Souroukoudingan, warning against the project’s reliance on gene-drive technology. “The problem is the solution proposed by Target Malaria, which consists of eliminating the vector using gene-drive mosquitoes developed through gene-drive technology. We point out that the genetically modified mosquito eggs, which will later be gene-driven, are imported from Imperial College London and from Italy. This technology is highly controversial and raises ethical concerns. Instead of pursuing unpredictable solutions, we argue for safer alternatives,” said Ali Tapsoba, a member of the coalition.
The coalition stressed that gene drive could wipe out an entire species and warned that the technology is not yet ready for field use due to its high degree of uncertainty and unpredictability. “More specifically, the impacts of gene-drive organisms on health and ecosystems remain unknown and potentially irreversible,” it added.
Launched in Burkina Faso in 2012, Target Malaria is an international research consortium that seeks to co-develop and share new, sustainable and cost-effective genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce malaria transmission.
HO/ac/lb/as/APA