What do you think would be the most deadly animal in the world? Snakes? Sharks? Jellyfish? Spiders? OK, so if you include "animals" in human form, perhaps the biggest killer of humans is Homo Sapiens? Close, but no cigar: wrong on every count: Mosquitos kill about 1 Million humans every year, by spreading Malaria.Bruce Howlett (a member of the RC of Burleigh Heads, is the Vice Chairman of one of Rotary's most audacious endeavours, the Malaria Vaccine Project. At our meeting last Wednesday, Bruce enriched us with how it It started, and what it's current status is. It's happening right here on the Gold Coast, at the local campus of Griffith University's Institute of Glycomics. The project commenced back in 2015 by PDG Sandra Doumany and her husband Sam Doumany, as well as PDG Prof Graham Jones.
Bruce gave us a very factual presentation on how the project started and where it is at present. To the uninitiated, having "commenced human trials" might not sound much, but let me tell you: this is a massive milestone! Next: human trials in a country that is severely affected, such as PNG or an African country. The ultimate target: the elimination of Malaria worldwide. Check Bruce's slide presentation in the Downloads section on the right.
Photo: Bruce Howlett with our Meeting Chairman of the day, Geoff Croad.