Understanding the requirements and factors necessary for the acceptance of genetically modified mosquitoes as a potential malaria control tool in Ghana: a questionnaire survey

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (GMMs) have been long proposed as a potential tool for malaria control. The challenges posed by current control strategies of bednet usage, Indoor Residual Spraying and larviciding, as well as the development of insecticide resistance to all the major classes of insecticides used against the vectors, have led to a renewed interest in the use of GMMs. Despite the achievements in developing GMMs, there are risks, benefits and public acceptance challenges that must be addressed in every country before any field trials and eventual releases can be undertaken. While various studies on attitudes to GMMs and open releases have been undertaken in some developed countries, this information is missing in Africa and other developing countries. We carried out a pilot questionnaire study, aimed at understanding the needs, requirements and factors necessary for the acceptance of GM mosquitoes as a potential malaria control tool in Ghana. The results showed that some individuals were open to accepting GMMs despite the perceived risks, and that whether or not they accepted them was not influenced by education, age, sex or religion. Public education and stakeholder consultations will be essential in obtaining public consent, before embarking on any malaria control using GMMs.