Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Aedes aegypti is a type of mosquito that spreads Zika, dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya virus.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite during the day.

Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, or headache. Symptoms typically last for 2–7 days. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Infection with Zika virus is also associated with other complications of pregnancy including preterm birth and miscarriage. An increased risk of neurologic complications is associated with Zika virus infection in adults and children, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy, and myelitis.

Using genetically modified mosquitoes can help to eliminate the population of mosquitoes. Oxitec is a biotechnology firm based in Key West, Florida. They are trying to introduce genetically modified Aedes aegypti males into the local mosquito population, if they succeed the population of mosquitos will be wiped out from there and help protect people from Zika transmission.

Oxitec’s plan is to inject mosquito eggs with DNA that contains lethal genes, then release the genetically modified males from that batch of eggs so they can mate with wild females. Male mosquitoes do not bite; so, releasing only males is a way to make sure the release of these insects does not contribute to the spread of disease. The offspring of these lab-tweaked males and wild females, having inherited the altered DNA, cannot survive to adulthood.

Oxitec claims its method of mosquito reduction would be more effective than traditional insecticide and would cost about the same or possibly less.

To get rid of all mosquitoes many more things must be done, this requires getting rid of standing bodies of water, putting up window screens, and doing house-to-house insecticidal spray. In my opinion using genetically modified mosquitoes could help to reduce the danger of getting zika virus and other illnesses from them, which could save many lives, specially of pregnant women that get bit by them and the fetus is prone to be born with congenital malformations.

Sources:

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/04/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-zika/479793/ Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? ADRIENNE LAFRANCE

http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zika-virus  World Health Organization

SHERLOCK: Ace Detective

(Aedes aegypti mosquito, known for carrying Dengue fever and the Zika virus, found on Wikepedia and taken from CDC public domain)

      In the event of an outbreak, fast, reliable diagnoses are of the essence. Recently, researchers have applied CRISPR technology to provide for this need, dubbed SHERLOCK (Specific High sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing). This works by applying a target sequence of RNA (for either Zika or dengue) to a Cas13a enzyme. A reporter RNA that gives off a fluorescent light upon cutting is added to the selected sample. When the Cas13a enzyme finds a matching RNA sequence, it cuts it, and then begins to induce collateral damage to nearby RNA. It is during this phase that it inevitably cuts the fluorescent reporter; this then gives off a signal that alerts to the presence of the select virus.
      The sensitivity of this test is a million times greater than current diagnostic tools used for this purpose. It is also incredibly specific, eliminating false positives. In addition to detecting these viruses, it can easily be outfitted to detect other viruses, bacteria, and even cancer DNA. In addition to its efficiency, it is also economical, with durable field tests using glass paper starting at less than a dollar a sheet.
      In lecture, this particular technology was only briefly touched upon. However, it is evident that current and future advances in genetics will be built upon this technology. Included below is an introductory video explaining CRISPR as a whole and the link to the article this post was based on.

Introduction to CRISPR
Article

Zika Attacks...Babies

        In the article, Birth Defects Rise Twentyfold in Mothers with Zika, C.D.C. Says, how Zika is dangerous to pregnant women. Zika does not necessarily harm the mother but harms the baby. The babies affected by Zika mostly are born with extremely small heads, brain abnormalities, eye defects, and central nervous problems. These birth defects are common in babies who become in contact with Zika while in their mother. It is transmitted through a mosquito’s bite. The mosquito must carry the disease to transmit it. There has been an increase of babies with these birth defects from 2013 to 2014 according to this study which involved the states of Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Georgia. Out of every 1,000 births there was about an increase of 55 babies to be affected by Zika. Personally, I believe a pregnant woman should not travel to where the Zika virus is present. I do not think it is smart for a pregnant woman to take the risk and travel because it is heart breaking to see a child born with defects that they will live with the rest of their lives. Sometimes babies are not born with defects but can develop abnormalities as they grow up. Even if the pregnant women must travel for work related reasons, I still do not suggest to travel. The mother can try to make a compromise with their boss. I asked my mother how she felt about this and she stated, “It is a scary thought to think that I could be the one to make my child have birth defects because of traveling to a country where Zika virus is spreading. I would play it safe and not choose to travel there.” Once again, I agree with my mother’s opinion as well. 

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/complications/birth-defects/zika-virus-everything-pregnant-women-should-know/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/health/birth-defects-rise-twentyfold-in-mothers-with-zika-cdc-says.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=59&pgtype=sectionfront