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Cracking the code—the malaria genome revealed
Newsdesk Cracking the code—the malaria genome revealed Scientists have revealed the complete genomic sequence of the malaria parasite of Plasmodium falciparum and its primary vector, the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. The team, led by Robert Holt (Celera Genomics), using the shotgun method, sequenced random segments of the A gambiae genome then pieced the genome together by matching DNA overlaps (Science 2002, 298: 129–49). Using expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis, they identified genes that are switched on or off when the female mosquito feeds on blood. Interfering with these metabolic pathways could disrupt parasite transmission. The paper also described A gambiae odour receptors, which, if blocked, could reduce the number of mosquito bites. The team involved in the P falciparum genome study included The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Hinxton, UK) (Nature 2002, 419: 498–511). Now that the genomes
of all three components (vector, parasite, and human host) of the disease are known, new weapons to fight malaria should emerge, among them insecticides, vaccines and mosquito repellents. Malcolm Gardner (TIGR) declared, “There have already been promising discoveries of new drug targets. We’re fairly confident that people all over the world will be able to use this information and out of that research will come new drugs and vaccines but it's going to take a while”. Many researchers believe this breakthrough will revive the ailing global campaign to eradicate malaria. Current global funding for malaria is around $200 million, which is far from the estimated US $1–3 billion needed for basic malaria control. Resistance to the antimalarial chloroquine is rampant in many parts of Africa, and new drugs are desperately needed, but some scientists warned that the development of tools from genome
research should not divert money from already under-funded public health initiatives. Some researchers are sceptical of the practical value of genome data. Chris Curtis, a medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told TLID that “I suspect the work is being done because it can be done and justifications are thought of later, such as being able to make tailor-made insecticides, but I doubt if they would be affordable to governments who cannot even afford DDT”. Neil Hall (Sanger Institute), lead researcher on the P falciparum study, responded to criticisms that “the money for genome sequence should have been ploughed into vaccine discovery”, saying that “this is short sighted and ill-informed. When looking for buried treasure, a map is more useful than a shovel; but its best if you have both”. Priya Shetty
Mosquito-net makers forced to renege on zero-VAT policy
648
in Kenya. “We spend dearly to have compete with cheaper nets from Asia external auditors verify our claims, and or even Tanzania. no money is forthSome Kenyan manucoming. Sometimes we facturers already charge take overdrafts from higher prices to recover banks, which are some of their money attracting huge interand others warn that ests”, says Michael they will have to start Oddenyo, director of charging VAT or else Mossnet Industries. close down if their tax To import yarn, rebates are not forththe raw material coming. A possible of mosquito nets, solution, suggested by local manufacturers pay some manufacturers, 2·75% for an import might be for the declaration form and a government to remove 20% duty. A 3% fee is the VAT charged on raw also charged on Malaria not yet put to bed. materials, which would insecticides. mean that the tax rebate Oddenyo wondered how manu- from the KRA would be unnecessary. facturers could be expected to invest in The aim of Roll Back Malaria was production when they cannot recover to halve the country’s malaria problem costs. Some of the companies say their by 2010, a goal that looks unlikely to be production has reduced by 65% as a achieved unless the KRA takes heed of result of the zero-VAT directive. With the concerns raised by mosquito net VAT and other duties charged on the manufacturers. raw materials, they find it difficult to Samuel Siringi WHO/Pierre Virot
Africa’s battle against malaria remains in jeopardy as Kenyan mosquito net manufacturers threaten to hike up their prices. In a bid to tackle the country’s malaria problem, African states agreed to allow net manufacturers to sell mosquito nets minus value-added tax (VAT). This initiative formed part of Roll Back Malaria, a global strategy founded in 1998 by WHO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, and the World Bank. The objective of the strategy is to enable more cost-effective access to treated mosquito nets for 60% of the population of any country with endemic malaria. The net manufacturers would recoup the lost VAT through a tax refund from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Now, however, the three major production companies— Nets, Mossnet Industries, and Polo Industries—claim that the KRA has not refunded their taxes since 2001, when the tax-free bednet scheme began
THE LANCET Infectious Diseases Vol 2 November 2002
http://infection.thelancet.com
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet Publishing Group.
of all three components (vector, parasite, and human host) of the disease are known, new weapons to fight malaria should emerge, among them insecticides, vaccines and mosquito repellents. Malcolm Gardner (TIGR) declared, “There have already been promising discoveries of new drug targets. We’re fairly confident that people all over the world will be able to use this information and out of that research will come new drugs and vaccines but it's going to take a while”. Many researchers believe this breakthrough will revive the ailing global campaign to eradicate malaria. Current global funding for malaria is around $200 million, which is far from the estimated US $1–3 billion needed for basic malaria control. Resistance to the antimalarial chloroquine is rampant in many parts of Africa, and new drugs are desperately needed, but some scientists warned that the development of tools from genome
research should not divert money from already under-funded public health initiatives. Some researchers are sceptical of the practical value of genome data. Chris Curtis, a medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told TLID that “I suspect the work is being done because it can be done and justifications are thought of later, such as being able to make tailor-made insecticides, but I doubt if they would be affordable to governments who cannot even afford DDT”. Neil Hall (Sanger Institute), lead researcher on the P falciparum study, responded to criticisms that “the money for genome sequence should have been ploughed into vaccine discovery”, saying that “this is short sighted and ill-informed. When looking for buried treasure, a map is more useful than a shovel; but its best if you have both”. Priya Shetty
Mosquito-net makers forced to renege on zero-VAT policy
648
in Kenya. “We spend dearly to have compete with cheaper nets from Asia external auditors verify our claims, and or even Tanzania. no money is forthSome Kenyan manucoming. Sometimes we facturers already charge take overdrafts from higher prices to recover banks, which are some of their money attracting huge interand others warn that ests”, says Michael they will have to start Oddenyo, director of charging VAT or else Mossnet Industries. close down if their tax To import yarn, rebates are not forththe raw material coming. A possible of mosquito nets, solution, suggested by local manufacturers pay some manufacturers, 2·75% for an import might be for the declaration form and a government to remove 20% duty. A 3% fee is the VAT charged on raw also charged on Malaria not yet put to bed. materials, which would insecticides. mean that the tax rebate Oddenyo wondered how manu- from the KRA would be unnecessary. facturers could be expected to invest in The aim of Roll Back Malaria was production when they cannot recover to halve the country’s malaria problem costs. Some of the companies say their by 2010, a goal that looks unlikely to be production has reduced by 65% as a achieved unless the KRA takes heed of result of the zero-VAT directive. With the concerns raised by mosquito net VAT and other duties charged on the manufacturers. raw materials, they find it difficult to Samuel Siringi WHO/Pierre Virot
Africa’s battle against malaria remains in jeopardy as Kenyan mosquito net manufacturers threaten to hike up their prices. In a bid to tackle the country’s malaria problem, African states agreed to allow net manufacturers to sell mosquito nets minus value-added tax (VAT). This initiative formed part of Roll Back Malaria, a global strategy founded in 1998 by WHO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, and the World Bank. The objective of the strategy is to enable more cost-effective access to treated mosquito nets for 60% of the population of any country with endemic malaria. The net manufacturers would recoup the lost VAT through a tax refund from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Now, however, the three major production companies— Nets, Mossnet Industries, and Polo Industries—claim that the KRA has not refunded their taxes since 2001, when the tax-free bednet scheme began
THE LANCET Infectious Diseases Vol 2 November 2002
http://infection.thelancet.com
For personal use. Only reproduce with permission from The Lancet Publishing Group.