This article is part of the supplement: Development of the sterile insect technique for African malaria vectors
Review
Ethical, legal and social aspects of the approach in Sudan
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* Corresponding author: Badria B El Sayed badriab2@yahoo.com
1 Tropical Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research. P.O. Box 1304, Khartoum, Sudan
2 School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, UK
3 National Malaria, Schistosomiasis & Leishmaniasis Administration, Federal Ministry of Health. P.O. Box 1204, Khartoum, Sudan
4 Sudan Atomic Energy Commission, Ministry of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3001, Khartoum, Sudan
5 National Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 287, Khartoum, Sudan 1
6 Div. Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine & AIDS, Academic Medical Center, F4-217, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and K&S Consulting, Kalkestraat 20, 6669 CP Dodewaard, The Netherlands
Malaria Journal 2009, 8(Suppl 2):S3 doi:10.1186/1475-2875-8-S2-S3
Published: 16 November 2009Abstract
The global malaria situation, especially in Africa, and the problems frequently encountered in chemical control of vectors such as insecticide resistance, emphasize the urgency of research, development and implementation of new vector control technologies that are applicable at regional and local levels. The successful application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) for the control of the New World screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax and several species of fruit flies has given impetus to the use of this method for suppression or elimination of malaria vectors in some areas of Africa including Northern State of Sudan. The research and development phase of the Northern State feasibility study has been started. Sudanese stakeholders are working side-by-side with the International Atomic Energy Agency in the activities of this important phase. Several ethical, legal and social issues associated with this approach arose during this phase of the project. They need to be seriously considered and handled with care. In this paper, these issues are described, and the current and proposed activities to overcome potential hurdles to ensure success of the project are listed.