Laura D. Hansen

● Email: ●

November 13, 2006

Ms. Beth Ritter-Guth

Lehigh Carbon Community College

4525 Education Park Drive

LR 305D

Schnecksville, PA 18078

Dear Ms. Ritter-Guth:

Along with this letter, I have enclosed my report on Open Source Science and its effects on the Malaria disease, entitled Considering an Alternative to Cure the Malaria Disease, which you have asked me to prepare. This report summarizes the research that I have gathered in the last several months regarding the spread of the disease and contains my recommendation that Open Source Science could prove to be an effective method to fight the disease.

My recommendation is that scientists should consider Open Source Science to develop alternatives to combat Malaria. Since the introduction of the Open Source Science Movement, information has been made available online for individuals of all disciplines. By focusing on the treatment of Malaria collaboratively, this low priority disease at many pharmaceutical companies may be given an alternative for individuals who do not have the financial ability to pay for expensive treatments.

I hope that you find this report helpful in your efforts to open communication and find treatment for everyone to this tropical disease. If you would like to contact me to discuss this report in more detail, feel free to call me at (570) 412-5226 or via email.

Sincerely,

Laura D. Hansen

Enclosure: Final Report

Considering an Alternative to

Cure the Malaria Disease

Laura Hansen

Technical Writing Student

November 29, 2006

Prepared for

Beth Ritter-Guth

Technical Writing Professor

Lehigh Carbon Community College
TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ……………………………………………………………. iii

ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………………………. iv

INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………….. 1

Background ………………………………………………………………………... 1

Malaria, the Deadly Disease……………………………………………………1

History of Malaria……………………………………………………………... 2

Impact of the Disease…………………………………………………………... 2

Open Source Movement………………………………………………………... 3

Problem ……………………………………………………………………………. 4

Purpose Statement …………………………………………………………………. 4

Scope of Report ……………………………………………………………………. 4

DISCUSSION …………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Impact of Climate Change…………………………………………………………. 5

Disease in Endemic Countries……………………………………………………... 5

Malaria Control………………………………………………………………... 5

Limited Treatment Availability………………………………………………… 5

Existing Treatment and Cures……………………………………………………… 6

Expanding Opportunities…………………………………………………………... 6

Open Source Science?...... 6

Current Strides…………………………………………………………………. 7

CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………... 7

RECCOMMENDATIONS ……………………………………………………………… 7

REFERENCES...…………………………………………………………………………. 9


List of Illustrations

Figure 1: Malaria as a Cause of death- “Leading Causes

of Death in Children Under Five Years of Age, Estimates for 2000-2003……………. 1

Figure 2: Distribution of Malaria……………………………………………………………… 3


Abstract

Existing in various regions throughout the world, malaria has become the cause of death for millions of individuals, 75% of them attributed to African children according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (CDC, 2004). Not only does it affect individuals and families by increasing costs and infringing on personal lives, but it has also taken a large toll on the governmental units. Public health facilities and treatment centers have increased costs and poverty-stricken societies are unable to recover from these disasters. The Open Source Science collaboration may serve as a respectable addition to tropical disease, specifically malaria, investigation. Open Source Science opens scientific experiments and information to the public, eliminating large amounts of R&D costs and time for the scientific community. Although contributing scientists give up their right to patent products, this may be the only alternative to enhance leads on malaria cures and treatments.


Introduction

Background

In a culture that relies on the constantly changing technologies and innovations, who would think that there are still diseases neglected and individuals dying every second? As one looks at the malaria disease, it becomes evident that this is a truth our society must deal with.

With the existence of a high-impact disease come substantial costs to both individuals and the government. In relation to individuals and families, people must purchase drugs for treatment, pay for treatment at clinics and dispensaries and take preventative measures. The government must maintain health facilities, take public health initiatives against the spread of the disease and lose opportunities for tourism if the disease is found in that region.

Malaria, the deadly disease

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention6 (CDC) announced that in 1995, an estimated 990,000 individuals died of malaria in areas of Africa with high disease transmission (2004). Although this number is incomprehensible, imagine over 2700 deaths each day or 2 deaths per minute.

In rural areas of Africa, the deprived population often lacks knowledge, money, and access to health care. As a result of these poor individuals, malaria is the cause of 90% of the deaths in the African region south of the Sahara desert (CDC6, 2004). The factors increase vulnerability, especially in children with weak immune systems that have little immunity to the disease.

As shown in the chart below, the malaria disease was the fourth greatest cause of death in children in developing countries (CDC6, 2004). The only causes higher than malaria are neonatal conditions that occur at the time of birth, such as premature births or birth deficiencies, acute respiratory infections or pneumonias, and diarrheal diseases. However, even though the death rate is significant, this disease is often overlooked by pharmaceutical companies because of the high demand for other drugs and treatments.

Figure 1

Malaria as a Cause of Death

Leading Causes of Death in Children Under Five Years of Age, Estimates for 2000-2003
(Source: World Health Organization, The World Health Report 2005)
Rank / Cause / Numbers (thousands per year) / % of all deaths
1 / Neonatal causes / 3,910 / 37
2 / Acute respiratory infections / 2,027 / 19
3 / Diarrheal diseases / 1,762 / 17
4 / Malaria / 853 / 8
5 / Measles / 395 / 4
6 / HIV/AIDS / 321 / 3
7 / Injuries / 305 / 3
Other causes / 1,022 / 10
Total / 10,596 / 100.0

Source: The Impact of Malaria, 2004.

Furthermore, it is important to point out that because of the harsh illness and death malaria causes worldwide, it has created a great drain on developing countries. Many of these countries that face malaria are already among the poverty-stricken nations, and the disease continues to thread a vicious cycle of poverty, disease and death in the country (CDC2, 2005).

History of Malaria

Unlike recent viruses and diseases, the Malaria disease has been in existence for at least 4,000 years (CDC4, 2004). Even in ancient Chinese medial writings in 2700 BS, there were characteristics and symptoms of the disease recorded. The Greek recognized malaria in the 4th century BCE as well, attributing it to the decline of many populations (CDC4, 2004). This allows scientists today to realize that the disease has had a history of destroying societies.

It was not until November 6, 1880, that Alphonse Laveran first noticed that there were parasites in the blood of a patient who was suffering from malaria. Because of his discovery of the malaria parasite, Laveran was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1907 (CDC4, 2004).

Since that discovery, there have been many investigations related to the disease. In 1897, Ronald Ross found that mosquitoes can transmit the parasite from insect to insect or from insect to patient. Between the years of 1947 and 1951, the National Malaria Eradiation Program conducted house-sprays to eliminate the virus (CDC4, 2004). There is no question as to the impact of the disease throughout the history of its existence, but the question that has always remained unanswered relates to the treatment and elimination of malaria. No one enjoys hearing the terrifying statistics of the lives that are taken by the disease, but what can be done to eliminate the problem?

Impact of the Disease

As identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, malaria is one of the most severe public health problems in the world (CDC5, 2004). There is no such disease that is the leading cause of death and disease in developing countries, affecting mostly women and children.

Geographically, malaria is most often transmitted where Anopheles mosquitoes can survive and locations where malaria parasites can complete their full growth cycle (CDC3, 2004). Although temperature is most critical factor in the survival and spread of malaria, other factors include the humidity and rainfalls of the region (CDC3, 2004).

As shown on the map below, the most concentrated areas of malaria distribution are found in the poor, tropical, and subtropical regions. Most importantly, the largest distribution of the disease can be found in the African region south of the Sahara desert. The disease thrives in this region because of the efficient mosquito vector, the tropical climate and socio-economic instability in the region (CDC5, 2004).

Figure 2

Distribution of Malaria

Source: Geographic Distribution and Epidemiology, 2004.

Open Source Movement

The OpenScience Project is designed to collaborate ideas from individuals with all different backgrounds. The website phrased the project as follows, “We are a group of scientists, mathematicians and engineers who want to encourage a collaborative environment in which science can be pursued by anyone who is inspired to discover something new about the natural world.” (http://www.openscience.org/blog/?page_id=44) The project is structured so that “online discussions will prioritize a list of experiments that anyone can take on” (Everts, 2006, p. 34). This eliminates the need for all full-time professionals, and gives everyone equal opporunity to volunteer to take on the research.

Many people question why open source science is used and PLoS Medicine addressed this specific issue. By separating each component of the research into indiviual assignments, OpenScience can hopefully “fix the patent problem” (Maurer, Rai & Sali, 2004, p. 180). It is a common notion that science is a discipline that can only be pursued by professionals in that field; but this project hopes to encourage a community where anyone can be involved.

Currently scientists are working towards opening science, but with this new trend come both supporters and those who disagree. Individuals who have a positive opinion of Open Source science contend that this will allow scientists to collectively analyze ideas and collaborate their efforts towards a common goal. Jamais Cascio wrote that "the more participants involved, the greater the breadth of knowledge and experience, and the greater the ability to find a solution to problems" (2004). This process leads to a quicker conclusion because one individual's thoughts may trigger anothers, accelerating science. On the contrary, some feel that by opening up science, scientists are giving up patent rights, for they cannot patent discoveries because the data is public as soon as it has been posted (Everts, 2006).
Open source science can be a very beneficial addition to traditional methods of scientific discovery. In societies where patients cannot afford patented drugs, it would be fundamental to offer cheaper drugs in order to cure the diseases. One concern is that publishing science on the web may lead to unrealistic expectations by web-browsers. However, by accelerating the process and having the potential to offer an affordable alternative to traditional drugs outweighs most concerns. Overall, the idea of cummulating ideas and collaborating towards one goal, as long as the efforts remain credible, can be looked at optimistically.

Problem

While it is easy to point out and measure the impact of the malaria disease, it still continues to spread and thrive in various regions around the world. There have been actions taken to eliminate it from the states or treat travelers, but those resources are not available to everyone. The problem with the disease is that although it is treatable and preventative to many, it still continues to destroy populations around the world.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this report is to argue that due to the fact that malaria has become a deadly disease which is often neglected worldwide, scientists must pursue an alternative approach to finding a cure and fighting the disease. Open Source Science can provide an alternative that may prove to be a successful path to offering the cure that 3rd world nations are looking for.

Scope of the Report

Because of the vastness of this disease, this report explores the impact that Malaria has had worldwide, but focuses on how American scientists, in particular, as well as any others that can access the materials, can provide a cost-efficient approach to curing the disease. The report will develop the impact of the disease in endemic countries, explore existing treatment and cures, and provide how Open Source Science would expand opportunities.


Discussion

Impact of Climate Change

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), human health is affected by social, political, economic, environment and technological factors in today’s society (EPA, 2006). For example, climate change has become a high impact factor for tropical diseases. Because tropical diseases, such as malaria, are often transmitted via insects and parasites, if the above factors affect the transporter, the disease itself will be altered.

To prove this point more, it is important to examine climate-sensitive or vector-borne diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria. As temperatures have increased in previous years and the climate continues to bring altered rainfall in some regions, the diseases are likely to be affected. In some cases, the changes may hinder the spread of the disease and prove to be positive. On the other hand, these climate changes may increase the breeding grounds for the disease and increase susceptibility (EPA, 2006).

Disease in Endemic Countries

Malaria Control

Malaria control has been implemented in most countries; it is a form of reduction to minimize the health impact that malaria has on a population. Although it would be ideal to completely eliminate the disease, the CDC has suggested that eradication is not a realistic goal for endemic countries. As a result, the countries are minimizing the impact through three interventions: case management, vector control, and administration of anti-malarial drugs (CDC1, 2006).

It is a known fact that individuals who suspect they have been infected with the symptoms should be treated properly and quickly, since it is a fatal disease. The process of case management diagnoses and treats those suffering patients. The treatment eliminates the parasite and interrupts the transmission cycle (CDC1, 2006), allowing the patient to fight the disease before it spreads.