Researchers are generating genetically engineered insects to
help prevent the spread of infectious diseases

At the
University of California, researchers are genetically engineering mosquito DNA
in order to disrupt cuticle, wing and eye development. This has led to the production of completely
yellow, three-eyed and wingless mosquitoes.
This will make it harder for them to survive. They wish to use Cas9- expressing mosquitoes
with gene drive to insert and spread genes that suppress them while avoiding
them developing a resistance. This
genome editing is very important as scientists want to prevent mosquitoes from spreading
pathogens. It has not worked in the past
due to low mutation rates, poor survival of edited mosquitoes and inefficient
transmission of disrupted genes to offspring.
Mosquitoes are known carriers of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and
zika viruses. They are also continuously
becoming resistant to commonly used pesticides.
This research
is very important as the elimination of mosquitoes would stop the spread of such
awful disease. Mosquitoes are hated for
this reason and the fact that they are so irritating. I would be thrilled if this science works and
am excited to see the demise of their species.
I attached another article about the effects of the zika virus which has
come to light in recent years.
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