A Risk Hierarchy for Transgenic Vector Arthropods

Germline transformation has been achieved in an increasing number of arthropods and numerous applications are envisioned. Many of these organisms are vectors of human and animal disease and are being transformed for the purpose of interfering with their capacity to transmit disease. In spite of the intended beneficial endpoint of this effort, descriptions of measures for the safe creation and testing of these animals are necessary. Safe measures for purely laboratory studies have been addressed in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA and the Arthropod Containment Guidelines, but neither of these addresses the conduct of contained field trials planned to occur before 2011.