Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – The military-led government of Burkina Faso has officially suspended the Target Malaria project, an international initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which was testing genetically modified mosquitoes to curb malaria spread. The Ministry of Higher Education and Research issued a statement confirming that all existing GM mosquito samples were to be destroyed according to protocol, effectively ending the project’s operations nationwide.

National Sovereignty and Ethical Safeguards Cited

Government officials framed the decision as part of their ongoing effort to preserve national sovereignty and reassess the influence of foreign-backed NGOs operating within the country. Authorities emphasized the need for greater autonomy in public health initiatives, especially those involving emerging biotechnologies.

History of GM Mosquito Trials in Burkina Faso

The Target Malaria project began in Burkina Faso around 2019 with the release of genetically modified male mosquitoes in the village of Bana. These mosquitoes carried traits intended to suppress the population of malaria-transmitting females. The project aimed to lay groundwork for future gene drive interventions.

Although government bodies and research councils had approved controlled releases, growing public opposition and concerns over ethics and safety had been mounting.

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Activists Raise Alarm on Risks and Lack of Public Consent

Numerous civil society groups in Burkina Faso—including COPAGEN, COASP, AfriTap, FIAN Burkina Faso, Terre à Vie, and CNABio—have consistently voiced strong opposition to the project. Their concerns included:

• The experimental nature of gene drive technology, with unpredictable long-term ecological effects.
• Inadequate informed consent and public consultation, especially in local communities targeted for testing.
• Ethical misalignment, including doubts over whether the project represents “scientific neo-colonialism.”
• The availability of safer, proven malaria control methods like nets and local herbal treatments.

Technical and Ecological Uncertainties

Experts and WHO reviews have raised concerns that:

• Gene drive systems used by Target Malaria may be unstable due to mutation.
• Targeted species definition is narrow, ignoring other Anopheles mosquito species capable of transmitting malaria.
• Ecosystem disruption could occur if female carriers are eradicated, potentially allowing other vectors to emerge.

Broader Implications and Future of GM Research

Burkina Faso is now the first country to formally end Target Malaria’s operations, signaling rising skepticism about experimental biotech solutions proposed by external organizations. This move will likely impact other African countries involved in similar trials, such as Mali, Uganda, and Ghana.