Genetically Modified Mosquitos Released

In Jacobina, Brazil a new campaign has began to tackle Dengue Fever head on. Millions of modifies newly hatched Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been released to disrupt the breeding cycle. These engineered mosquitoes are ultimately created to wipe out their own species which would hopefully stop the spread of Dengue Fever.
 

 http://www.all-about-india.com/mosquitoes-in-india.html

 How are the mosquitoes modified? 

The newly hatched mosquitoes are genetically modified with a lethal gene designed to be detrimental to the Aedes aegypti population. In the laboratory  the mosquitoes are kept alive by tetracycline. The females are disposed of and the males are released to mate with wild females. In essence their offspring will inherit the lethal gene and will die before being reproductively developed (no tetracycline to keep them alive).  

Controversy 

Scientists say this is the only way of protecting people from the disease. However, genetically modifying the blood-sucking Dengue vector and then setting them free raises concerns.  Critics say more laboratory studies are crucial before releasing the mosquitoes as we can not be certain of the potential impact the modified vectors will have on human health and the environment. They don't think enough is known about the modified mosquitoes which could potentially be dangerous.    



 Our best chance of beating Dengue Fever 

A small number of these genetically modified mosquitoes were released in Malaysia in 2010 but nothing in comparison to the field tests now underway in Jacobina, Brazil. Despite the possible complications of releasing genetically modified Aedes aegypti this strategy is thought to be our best chance of fighting the spread of Dengue Fever.    


http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-04-10/these-genetically-modified-mosquitos-have-been-launched-mission-end-dengue-fever

 http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/140407/brazil-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-dengue