Arendalsuka 2024: New biotechnology to end malaria: a priority for Norwegian aid?

Mosquito control programs using genetically modified mosquitoes and more efficient malaria vaccines signal a promising trajectory to end malaria. How should these new malaria measures be prioritized? Who should decide – and pay?

The malaria parasite is a significant global threat, with an annual toll of 250 million falling ill and 600,000 dying from the mosquito-borne disease. Djibouti and Uganda are about to initiate mosquito control programs using genetically modified mosquitoes. Additionally, new malaria vaccines being rolled-out in several African countries, including Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

These biotech advancements signal a promising trajectory for global health, with some foreseeing the potential eradication of malaria. However, biotechnology breakthroughs bring new ethical challenges.

Bioteknologirådet and Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting in Health (University of Bergen) invite national and international experts to deliberate Norway’s role as a global health actor. Is this Norway’s opportunity to lead the charge in malaria eradication, or is Norwegian aid funding best allocated elsewhere?

Medvirkende:

Eirik Mofoss, Executive Director, Senter for langsiktig politikk

Ezekiel J. Emanuel, Special Advisor to the Director General of WHO, University of Pennsylvania/BCEPS

Pakwanja D. Twea, PhD Research Fellow, BCEPS UiB

Lumbwe Chola, Associate Professor, UiO and Ghana NCD Project Lead BCEPS UiB

Eirik Joakim Tranvåg, Senior Advisor, Bioteknologirådet

Photo: Lusitana, 4, and her mother Gilimbeta in rural Lilongwe, Malawi. When she was 5 months old, Lusitana was the first child to receive the world’s first malaria vaccine (RTS,S/AS01 or RTS,S) as part of the WHO-coordinated Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme. Credit: WHO / Fanjan Combrink