Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Why are mosquitoes genetically modified?

To prevent the spread of diseases such as dengue fever.

This is important because there is no vaccine or treatment for dengue fever.

The type of mosquito that is genetically modified is Aedes Aegypti, because this type carries the dengue fever virus.

Only the male mosquitoes are genetically modified, because the male mosquitoes do not bite.

Scientist use a technology called RIDL (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal).

RIDL is a form of a process called Sterile Insect Technique, where sterile insects are released into the wild to reduce their population.

Scientists are able to insert a single dominant lethal gene (tTA) into male mosquitoes, which is inherited by their offspring, causes them to die at larva and pupa stage.

Dominant Lethal Gene + Mosquito = Improper Growth of Offspring

Improper Growth= DEATH

Who does the genetic modifications?

Scientists at a company called Oxitec manufacture the GM mosquitoes.

Where is Oxitec located?

Oxitec manufactures the GM mosquito eggs and sends them to the Cayman Islands.

Mosquito Research and Control Unit hatch the GM male mosquitoes, and release them into the wild.

Field testing currently being done in the Cayman Islands.

Government Involvement

DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) oversees the research, testing, and development of the GM mosquitoes in UK.

The Mosquito Research and Control Unit, which is run by the government in the Cayman Islands, oversees the field testing.

Internationally, the World Health Organization oversees the development and use of GM mosquitoes, and has created guidelines for their use.

Benefits

Who benefits from GM mosquitoes?

• People who live in dengue fever infected regions.

People in unaffected areas, that way there is less of a chance of dengue fever spreading to these areas.

Benefits for the Environment?

Decrease the use of insecticides.

Has the use of GM proven to be successful in field tests?

In the small areas that the field tests have been done, scientists have recorded an 80% reduction in mosquito numbers from May to October.

Economical Benefits

• Many countries at risk of dengue fever spend billions of dollars each year treating mosquito-transmitted viruses.
• The use of the less expensive GM mosquitoes will help cut down those costs.

Risks

Who is put at risk by the release of these mosquitoes?

Scientists say that no one is at risk, because male mosquitoes do not bite, and will only last one generation because they are not able to reproduce.

Risks for the Environment?

• The larva could have been food for other species.
• Could open up a slot for new species to move in, and introduce new diseases.

Political/Social/Ethical Objections

• A pole taken in 2001 reported that only 39% of Americans agreed with genetically modifying insects to fight disease.

• Many people believe that humans should not genetically alter or change nature.

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: Good or Bad?

THE END

Oxitec is located in the UK.

Canada

http://www.isis-innovation.com/emailtemplates/IANE-NewsJanuary2009.html

U.S.A

In all of Oxitec's manufactured male mosquitoes, they also include a florescent gene, which allows scientists to identify them under a fluorescent microscope.

http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/3/09-020309-Fa.png

Mexico

http://nomorecensorship.com/tag/mrcu/

Cayman Islands

http://www.wicketgate.co.uk/issue59/e59_4.html

Stage?

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19717-genetically-altered-mosquitoes-thwart-dengue-spreaders.html

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

How are the mosquitoes genetically modified?

http://www.buzzkillpestcontrol.com/mosquitocontrol.html

http://www.bradfitzpatrick.com/character-design/

http://www.thegreatgrayowlpestcontrolcompany.com/Main/mosquitoes.htm

http://www.kidfish.bc.ca/images/mosquito_life_cycle.jpg

This type of mosquito is:

• Difficult to control
• Bite during the day
• Live in urban areas

http://www.magnamosquito.com/aboutmosquitos.php

GM Mosquitoes: Good or Bad?

You Decide!

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20101111/mosquitoes-dengue-fever-101111/

http://www.scidev.net/en/features/will-gm-mosquitoes-end-dengue-and-malaria--1.html

http://www.gearlog.com/images/big-mosquito.jpg

Sources

1. http://www.consumer.org.my/focus/gm-mosquito/552-cap-a-sam-memorandum-to-the-government-on-malaysias-gm-aedes-mosquito-planned-release

2. http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/3/09-020309/en/index.html

3. http://www.oxitec.com/our-research/sterile-insect-technique/

4. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19717-genetically-altered-mosquitoes-thwart-dengue-spreaders.html

5. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/gm/regulation/process/index.htm

6. http://apps.who.int/tdr/publications/training-guideline-publications/gmm-report/pdf/gmm-report.pdf

7. http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20101111/mosquitoes-dengue-fever-101111/

8. http://www.scidev.net/en/features/will-gm-mosquitoes-end-dengue-and-malaria--1.html

http://www.gearlog.com/images/big-mosquito.jpg