Dengue Fever is a lethal sickness that causes severe flu-like symptoms. It is transmitted through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, aedes aegypti. Scientists have genetically modified sterile male mosquitoes that will mate with wild female mosquitoes and kill them. The mosquitoes are modified to carry a gene that aids in the killing of the female mosquito. So, according to researchers at the Oxford-based firm Oxitec, the males can only survive this gene themselves if they are given regular feeds of an antibiotic called tetracycline. Without it, they die in a few days. Also, when the male mosquito mates with the infected female mosquito, the offspring inherits a copy of the modified gene that kills them almost immediately. As a result, the female mosquito dies, followed by the male.
Scientists have already tested on a small-scale trial involving 3 million insects, which were released in Cayman Islands and cut mosquito numbers by 80% in 6 months. The trial raised hopes that the disease may be curtailed in countries such as Brazil, Panama and Malaysia. I think this is amazing how insects are now going to be genetically modified in order to tackle our diseases for us. It is like making small soldiers for the Dengue fever war. I think this is quiet an efficient way of reducing this lethal flu.
I found this article fascinating because it is remarkable to see the use of insects to help eradicate female mosquito in order to eradiacte deadly diseases.This could also lead to some breakthroughs with malaria. I come from Africa and therefore am familiar with a number of deaths caused by the simple bite of a mosquito.
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome advancement in genetic research. This situation seems kind of ironic. Instead of mosquitos killing people because of the deadly diseases they carry, we have found a way to make mosquitos inadvertantly kill each other. Oh, how the tables have turned! Not only will this deplete the magnitude of the mosquito population, but it will also help stop the spread of deadly diseases. It would be great if this research could be instituted in all areas of the world where mosquitos carry disease.
ReplyDeleteNot to downplay this advancement or anything because I'm sure this can save so many lives but I find it a little unfair that it's the mosquitoes that are going to be wiped out when it's the virus that causes dengue. I suppose I we can wait and see if it has any effect on the number of dengue fever victims. I'm hopeful that some can find a way to inhibit the virus itself instead of an organism that despite its pest-like characteristics, may have their own ecological importance.
ReplyDeleteI was very excited when I read this article. I HATE mosquitos! Not only are they the cause of so many deaths around the globe by spreading diseases, but even the uninfected one's cause itchy bumps and sometimes allergic reactions in plenty of humans.
ReplyDeleteThen I thought to myself, "What if they were all killed off? Would their absense be regretted in the future? Do they do anything positive to our ecosystems?" Since I could not come up with anything, I may decide to do some research on the internet to find out more. For now, I am pro-killing mosquittos!
@Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI asked myself the same questions, because who does't hate mosquitos? However, I do think the absence of mosquitos will upset the balance of nature. Mosquitos, although very annoying, do play a role in the food chain and are prey for many organisms. I don't know how applying this research in every area of the world would affect the balance of things?!
@jordan
ReplyDeleteYou're completely right. Why can't there be a vaccination created first before we start killing off a species? Or if not a vaccination, then something? If this proves to be the solution in eradicating Dengue Fever, then what will be the next species to go? A lot of animals and plants cause us humans problems, but that doesn't mean that we should eliminate them.