Ethics Advisory Committee
Target Malaria established an Ethics Advisory Committee in June 2015 to advise the project on non-scientific issues related to the development of its technology. These non-scientific aspects include stakeholder engagement, regulatory process, environmental considerations and general ethical issues related to our research.
The project activities and protocols are assessed as part of usual institutional ethics review processes in the research institutes where the activities take place. While these reviews are essential to confirm that protocols are aligned with ethical guidelines and best practices, they focus on specific protocols and do not look at Target Malaria’s overall approach. Considering the innovative aspect of gene drive research, as area-wide vector control, the project felt that having an independent ethics advisory committee to provide recommendations about the non-scientific aspects of the development of the technology was important.
To reflect the diversity of perspectives and expertise needed to take a holistic view on this technology, Target Malaria has called a very diverse group of experts representing different geographies as well as aspects of ethics (bioethics, religious perspective, conservation standpoint, etc.).
The committee serves in an advisory capacity, to offer external, independent advice and recommendations. All the members serve in their individual expert capacity.
