Biotechnology have taken
a remarkable turn which could potentially change our biodiversity. Bio-technologists have already genetically engineered mosquitoes that could help stop the spread
of Zika virus. To wipe out offending insects, another team of scientists have
found a way called gene drive to spread sterility through the mosquito population.
If administrators approve this genetic engineering, then this technique would
become a powerful method to prevent harmful disease that are spread through
mosquitoes. Despite all this benefit, it could help maintain the earth’s
biodiversity. For example, mosquitoes in Hawaii are spreading a virus that is
killing the bird populations. However, this spread of virus can be terminated
without spraying toxic pesticides. Genetically engineered male mosquitoes that
have the gene for sterile will do the job. Altered gene in their salivary
glands cannot spread the harmful disease. Also, scientists are capable of
producing genetically modified insects that are designed to die. These mosquitoes
will mate with the female and their offspring will die before reaching
adulthood; thus, minimizing the insects population that spreads the virus. Similar
to sterile mosquitoes, sterile rats can be produced to help decrease the
diseases that are being spread by rats.
I think this article has some interesting information
that shows how advanced the biotechnology has become. It also portrays that advanced
genomic tools have the potential to restore the lost genetic diversity. Genetic
engineering could shrink the threatening populations and help the endangered
species so that they are better adapted to the environmental change or
defend against potentially devastating pathogens.
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