Movement of genetically modified insects for research purposes

Insects play a crucial role in research. Many laboratories are developing technologies to control insect vectors or agricultural pests by using genetic modifications that either reduce insect reproduction or increase refractoriness to disease transmission. Those tools include gene drive elements that may spread such genetic traits in a self-sustaining and cost-effective manner. Since international research collaborations are nowadays routine, movement of genetically modified insects between laboratories of different regulatory jurisdictions is very common. This article describes the requirements and guidelines for transportation of genetically modified insects for research and the experience gained by an Italian laboratory as a research centre involved in several shipments of wild and modified mosquitoes within an international research consortium aimed at developing sustainable tools for malaria control.