AS agents of death and misery, few organisms can compete with the malaria parasite and the mosquito that transmits it. So there can be not a shred of doubt that last week’s unveiling of their genetic blueprints is well worth celebrating. Hundreds of researchers worked for years on these projects, many no doubt keeping long hours for less than wonderful remuneration. They can and should feel proud.
Nevertheless, scientific milestones do not in themselves save lives or eradicate disease, and there has seldom been a more timely moment to remember this.
In recent years scientists have unveiled so many genomes…
