have long been associated with the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue fever and the Zika virus. But scientists around the world have been exploring the possibility that mosquitoes could also be key to slowing the spread of disease.
The mosquitoes were Anopheles gambiae, a potential carrier of the parasites that cause malaria. However, these male mosquitoes could not reproduce. Moreover, there was no danger they would contribute to the spread of malaria, as male mosquitoes lack the mouthparts to bite. “It’s a turning point. There’ll be a lot more interventions coming and the way that decisions are made now related to consent and transparency are extremely important as the 21st century progresses,” says Kerry Bowman, a bioethicist at the University of Toronto.
Some environmental activists in the Keys say the EPA didn’t adequately assess the potential risks from the Oxitec mosquito, and suggest the agency made a mistake in regulating them under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act . Oxitec and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District say they’ve undergone years of “rigorous” vetting of the technology, and that they’ve agreed to suspend the process if any female mosquitoes are detected. Oxitec also says the impact on the ecosystem would be minimal and that insects like bees and butterflies would not be affected.
In Burkina Faso, researchers with Target Malaria have evaluated the data from the initial release of sterile male mosquitoes two years ago, and laboratory partners are now working on a mosquito that can reproduce – with only males surviving.
Hullo COVID.😁
FIX THAT? GIMME A BREAK! SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PERMITTED!