What to know about gene drive technology to prevent malaria

Gene drive is part of a growing field of genetically based vector control (GBVC) tools scientists are exploring to help stop the spread of malaria. It works by changing the genes of malaria-carrying mosquitos so they either can’t pass on the disease or their numbers go down over time. These changes are designed to pass through future generations of mosquitoes, which gives gene drive the potential for long-term impact.

Importantly, it only targets malaria-carrying species, leaving others untouched. In remote areas most impacted by malaria, gene drive could be a breakthrough, offering inexpensive and sustainable protection that doesn’t depend on people taking medicines or the constant delivery of supplies.

Not all genetically modified mosquitoes use gene drive technology. Other types target male mosquitoes and are engineered to pass down “self-limiting” genes to prevent their offspring from surviving to adulthood. Unlike gene drive, these traits do not last long in the mosquito population and require repeated releases of mosquitoes.

Genetically based vector control research is being conducted by scientists and global partners in countries most burdened by malaria under strict safety and regulatory oversight. All decisions about the approval of the technology are made by national regulatory bodies, following strict national laws and international guidelines.

Malaria kills nearly 600,000 people each year, mostly African children. Current tools have helped achieve significant progress—but they aren't enough to eradicate malaria. New challenges like drug and insecticide resistance and climate change threaten existing progress. Gene drive technology could provide long-lasting, self-sustaining protection without relying on human behavior or complex delivery systems, making it particularly valuable for reaching remote, underserved communities.

Since no single tool can eradicate malaria alone, gene drive is being developed by Africa scientists as part of a several interventions including next-generation bed nets, spatial repellents, next-generation vaccines, long-acting chemoprevention, and sophisticated monitoring tools. Using multiple tools and technologies to address malaria helps countries break the cycle of illness, poverty, and death linked to the disease.

Local communities and stakeholders must be at the center of the decision-making process for any new public health intervention. The Gates Foundation partners with African institutions to ensure comprehensive community engagement around genetic based vector control tools, including gene drive. As scientists work across the African continent to develop the technology, they are also partnering with communities to ensure engagement, understanding and trust.

These engagement efforts include co-developing culturally appropriate communication materials in local languages, such as visuals and infographics for field sites, videos and animations explaining the science, theater performances describing project phases, and radio broadcasts.

Importantly, this engagement is not a one-time approval but a continuous dialogue throughout the project lifecycle. Because gene drive would impact whole communities, not just individuals, it’s especially important that the local community is fully informed and involved in the decision-making through trusted community and government processes.

Gene drive research has proceeded cautiously and transparently for over a decade, led by African scientists and with oversight from diverse stakeholders, especially affected communities.

Leading global bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union support continued research under clear ethical and safety guidelines. The Gates Foundation is investing in sophisticated modelling, ecological assessments, and rigorous safety standards to continuously evaluate gene drive performance and impact. Our funding supports independent ethics and biosafety committees, ensuring that research is conducted under the highest standards of safety and governance.

Gene drive researchers are leading a rigorous, phased approach to gene drive development that prioritizes safety at every step. This step-by-step process begins in a controlled laboratory within secure, high-containment insectaries—specialized facilities designed for housing and studying insects. It advances to controlled field releases after extensive safety data has been collected and independently reviewed. Each phase requires necessary permits and authorizations from appropriate governing bodies in line with international guidance from the WHO and the Convention on Biological Diversity.