Biology Forums - Study Force

Researchers have found an antigen, AnAPN1 that triggers humans to create antibodies that prevent transmission of malaria by mosquitoes. If a mosquito takes in enough of these anitbodies the disease can be 'locked' into it and become untransmissable. Though this is promising, the problem lies in getting it into the mosquitoes. The proposed mechanism is throw their food source: humans. This would require humans to be injected with the antigen and then used essentially as bait to get the created antibodies to the mosquitoes. However, this is dangerous for the humans with the antibodies, not only because of the side effects, but the fact that by getting bitten by infected mosquitoes they have the chance of being contracting malaria. So the debate is in the getting the antibodies to the mosquitoes which will stop the spread but it requires humans to put themselves out there to pass them on.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1954177,00.html (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1954177,00.html)

Have a look!

I think that this vaccine would be a good idea if it has the potential of completely getting rid of malaria. Of course there are risks with using humans to help with this elimination but all vaccines have potential side effects. There needs to be more research done on this vaccine for sure and just like the article said, it has to be taken in a combination with a traditional immunity-conferring vaccine so that humans are still protected themselves. If this vaccine proves to be successful then not only will it save lives of millions but it will also boost the economy of countries affected by malaria since travelling to those countries will increase.