Primary criteria	Rationale
1. Presence of Anopheles gambiae/A. coluzzii	Major vector; target of GEM production
2. Geographic isolation	Containment of GEMs
3. Genetic isolation	Containment of transgene constructs
4. Genetic diversity	Potential detriment to GEM function
5. Island size	Feasibility vs. validity
6. Topography	Evaluation of GEM dispersal capacity
7. Anopheline species richness	Logistics; HGT*; confound epi. endpoints
Other considerations	Rationale
1. Insecticide susceptibility/resistance	Match GEM to indigenous mosquitoes
2. Plasmodium prevalence	Estimation of epidemiological impact
3. Presence of endangered species	Potential for negative GEM interactions
4. Travel feasibility	Operational logistics and cost

Abbreviation: HGT, horizontal gene transfer.