To curb the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and Zika, scientists have genetically modified the insects and released them in the U.S. Early results from the pilot study are promising.
Preliminary tests of the genetically modified mosquitos weren't designed to determine whether these engineered insects might stop the spread of these diseases. The goal of the initial tests was simply to see how reproduction played out once the genetically modified males were released.
The genetically engineered males successfully mated with females in the wild, the company reports. Scientists collected more than 22,000 eggs laid by these females from traps set out around the community in spots like flowerpots and trash cans. In the lab, researchers confirmed that the female offspring from these pairings inherited a lethal gene designed to cause their death before adulthood. The lethal gene was transmitted to female offspring across multiple generations, scientists also found.
Many more trials would be needed before these genetically modified mosquitos could be released in the wild on a larger scale – particularly because the tests done so far haven't demonstrated that these engineered bugs can prevent the spread of infectious disease.mosquitoes into the wild won't reduce the need for pesticides because most mosquitos in the U.S. aren't from this species.Oxitec: “FKMCD - #Oxitec Public Educational Webinar #16,” “U.S.
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