SBu
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2013
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An Oxford affiliated firm has bio-engineered a form of mosquito that is able to reduce the overall population of mosquito in the wild.
The male versions of this mosquito, when introduced to the wild, mate with their wild female counterparts, but due to the genetic modification the larvae somehow die off or produce incapable offspring. Additionally, these genetically modified males don't bite humans like their wild female counterparts. So the net affect is that the overall population of mosquitoes goes down, as well as mosquito borne illness transmitted to humans. This has been clinically tested in Brazil and the Cayman Islands.
This is revolutionary and a game changer. But not everyone is on board... In hippie bastion Key West, scientifically maladjusted hippies have cried foul rushing to sign petitions on 'change.org' and no doubt a lie laden article from 'truth.org' is forthcoming, in an effort to stop this marvel of modern science from benefiting their population.
What do you think? Isn't this what Science is supposed to do? Do the hippies have a point? Isn't it fun how members of both political ideologies continually disregard science (conservatives out of skepticism, and liberals out of fear)?
My personal take is that this is awesome. Think of all of the countries with significant mosquito problems that could benefit. I'm not sure what Key West's problem with mosquitoes is, but I can probably think of a better place than there to test these mosquitoes, especially given the local opposition.
Florida Keys: Sunshine, blue skies and genetically-modified mosquitoes? - The Washington Post
An Oxford affiliated firm has bio-engineered a form of mosquito that is able to reduce the overall population of mosquito in the wild.
The male versions of this mosquito, when introduced to the wild, mate with their wild female counterparts, but due to the genetic modification the larvae somehow die off or produce incapable offspring. Additionally, these genetically modified males don't bite humans like their wild female counterparts. So the net affect is that the overall population of mosquitoes goes down, as well as mosquito borne illness transmitted to humans. This has been clinically tested in Brazil and the Cayman Islands.
This is revolutionary and a game changer. But not everyone is on board... In hippie bastion Key West, scientifically maladjusted hippies have cried foul rushing to sign petitions on 'change.org' and no doubt a lie laden article from 'truth.org' is forthcoming, in an effort to stop this marvel of modern science from benefiting their population.
What do you think? Isn't this what Science is supposed to do? Do the hippies have a point? Isn't it fun how members of both political ideologies continually disregard science (conservatives out of skepticism, and liberals out of fear)?
My personal take is that this is awesome. Think of all of the countries with significant mosquito problems that could benefit. I'm not sure what Key West's problem with mosquitoes is, but I can probably think of a better place than there to test these mosquitoes, especially given the local opposition.
Florida Keys: Sunshine, blue skies and genetically-modified mosquitoes? - The Washington Post
The female mosquito is the one that bites (males feed on flower nectar). She requires blood to produce eggs. Her mouthparts are constructed so that they pierce the skin, literally sucking the blood out. Her saliva lubricates the opening. It’s the saliva plus the injury to the skin that creates the stinging and irritation we associate with mosquito bites.
I hate mosquitoes with a passion, but I love little brown bats, swallows and purple martins. So I am all for reducing the pesky insects while remaining respectful of other creatures.
I hate mosquitoes with a passion, but I love little brown bats, swallows and purple martins. So I am all for reducing the pesky insects while remaining respectful of other creatures.
Good point, however, one must also consider the harmful affects of these animals eating DEET, or similar chemical, laced mosquitoes and the general affect of these chemicals on humans and other animals exposed.
I have seen in other sources that this technique could lower the mosquito population in some areas by as much as 90% (ABC news broadcast). Which if true, may have some habitat impact, but given the sheer gargantuan size of some mosquito populations, it hopefully wouldn't be significant.
I would hope that the effects on wildlife; bats, birds and mosquito's natural predators would be have been done already over a long period of time to make sure there are no "unintended consequences" associated with these GMO male mosquito's.
An Oxford affiliated firm has bio-engineered a form of mosquito that is able to reduce the overall population of mosquito in the wild.
The male versions of this mosquito, when introduced to the wild, mate with their wild female counterparts, but due to the genetic modification the larvae somehow die off or produce incapable offspring. Additionally, these genetically modified males don't bite humans like their wild female counterparts. So the net affect is that the overall population of mosquitoes goes down, as well as mosquito borne illness transmitted to humans. This has been clinically tested in Brazil and the Cayman Islands.
This is revolutionary and a game changer. But not everyone is on board... In hippie bastion Key West, scientifically maladjusted hippies have cried foul rushing to sign petitions on 'change.org' and no doubt a lie laden article from 'truth.org' is forthcoming, in an effort to stop this marvel of modern science from benefiting their population.
What do you think? Isn't this what Science is supposed to do? Do the hippies have a point? Isn't it fun how members of both political ideologies continually disregard science (conservatives out of skepticism, and liberals out of fear)?
My personal take is that this is awesome. Think of all of the countries with significant mosquito problems that could benefit. I'm not sure what Key West's problem with mosquitoes is, but I can probably think of a better place than there to test these mosquitoes, especially given the local opposition.
Florida Keys: Sunshine, blue skies and genetically-modified mosquitoes? - The Washington Post
If true, it would be a wonderful achievement. I wholeheartedly agree that the number of those who wish to stymie scientific advances that alleviate hunger and human suffering is staggering.
That will kill the birds.
researchers found that house cats were responsible for the deaths of between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds and between 7 and 20 billion mammals each year.
How so?
If you are interested in saving birds, then perhaps the best way to do that is to tackle the ridiculous feral cat problem that is plaguing the US.
The Biggest Threat to U.S. Wildlife? Cats | TIME.com
Lots of birds live on mosquitoes as the main course.
So, they'll adapt to better, more nutritious, night flying insects.
I am conflicted on this, having a good bit of old hippie tendency myself, but also having worked in medicine for thirty years.
I think things like this need a great deal of judicious reasoning applied, and a slow cautious approach. Just because we CAN do something, doesn't always mean it is a good idea.
This is a really bad idea. The unintended consequences could be staggering.
This is a really bad idea. The unintended consequences could be staggering.
Irrelevant - they are part of the food chain for many animals and if they are genetically modified, it serves that the food source should be tested against their natural predators to make sure there is nothing adverse that could happen.They are a parasite.
Also irrelevant. But please, send a memo to all the mosquito predators and tell them to skip the mosquito's and go for the moths instead. Let me know how that works out.There is plenty other flying insects out there for the wildlife to make up for the small percentage of mosquitoes being eaten. Lot's of work to eat as many mosquitoes as one large juicy moth.
They are a parasite. There is plenty other flying insects out there for the wildlife to make up for the small percentage of mosquitoes being eaten. Lot's of work to eat as many mosquitoes as one large juicy moth.
An Oxford affiliated firm has bio-engineered a form of mosquito that is able to reduce the overall population of mosquito in the wild.
The male versions of this mosquito, when introduced to the wild, mate with their wild female counterparts, but due to the genetic modification the larvae somehow die off or produce incapable offspring. Additionally, these genetically modified males don't bite humans like their wild female counterparts. So the net affect is that the overall population of mosquitoes goes down, as well as mosquito borne illness transmitted to humans. This has been clinically tested in Brazil and the Cayman Islands.
This is revolutionary and a game changer. But not everyone is on board... In hippie bastion Key West, scientifically maladjusted hippies have cried foul rushing to sign petitions on 'change.org' and no doubt a lie laden article from 'truth.org' is forthcoming, in an effort to stop this marvel of modern science from benefiting their population.
What do you think? Isn't this what Science is supposed to do? Do the hippies have a point? Isn't it fun how members of both political ideologies continually disregard science (conservatives out of skepticism, and liberals out of fear)?
My personal take is that this is awesome. Think of all of the countries with significant mosquito problems that could benefit. I'm not sure what Key West's problem with mosquitoes is, but I can probably think of a better place than there to test these mosquitoes, especially given the local opposition.
Florida Keys: Sunshine, blue skies and genetically-modified mosquitoes? - The Washington Post
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