New breakthrough helps 'kill' mosquitoes on a large scale

Baby mosquitoes that inherit the additional genome that only survives for a short time should reduce the risk of spreading dengue.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue affects more than 390 million people worldwide each year and symptoms of the disease can be fatal. Because there is no vaccine yet, researchers are always looking for ways to limit the spread of the disease - one of which is genetic modification in mosquitoes.

Accordingly, researchers from Oxitec Company (UK) have used genetic techniques to genetically modify male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and release them into the natural environment so that they mate with female mosquitoes.

Brazil is the latest country to approve the release of genetically modified mosquitoes into the environment

The birth of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes will inherit the additional gene between the mother mosquito and the genetically modified mosquito so it will live only a very short time. Since then, the number of harmful mosquitoes and the risk of spreading dengue fever will be reduced.

In the next test to release genetically modified mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands in 2009 and 2010 and then a small experiment in Malaysia in 2010, 2011, Oxitec researchers have demonstrated the number of self-mosquitoes. course significantly reduced.

"Experimental testing in the Cayman Islands can be a big step because we can selectively eliminate dangerous disease-causing insects," said a biologist .

Experts agree that genetically modified mosquitoes cannot change permanent ecosystems because they only last a generation. But to quell dengue in areas like Asia and South America, millions of mosquitoes are needed to kill natural mosquitoes. The use of genetically modified mosquitoes may be the least harmful way to control dengue.

However, some people believe that this type of mosquito will somehow affect the environment. Dr. Helen Wallace - Organization Director of GeneWatch (UK) said: 'If a large number of mosquitoes are released into the environment, this will greatly affect the environment and people's health.

If we try to remove mosquitoes from the ecosystem, we don't know what consequences will happen. This insect is a food of many other species so many species will starve if the mosquito no longer exists. Or, this disappearance can cause other species to grow quickly or stimulate new species to emerge. '