Super Mozzies - Genetic Engineering

[Simon.D]

According to this BBC News article, a genetically modified mosquito, syntethicly strengthened, could potentially be used to tackle the world's malaria problem.

Research into modifying mosquito's has been on going for years.. Looking into ways of adapting Mosquito's DNA such that the modified creatures no longer carry the disease, with the ultimate goal of releasing a population of these engineered animals into the wild. The aim of which is to replace the existing "malaria carrying trait" held by the wild population.

But according to this recent press release, they've created a stronger, more reselient mosquito to aid in establishing dominance of the disease free population.

Strengtening the species will increase their global population as the more robust physique will enable them to thrive in new envioronments. Strengtening the species too much, could completely destablise population growth, creating a new nightmare for malaria ridden countries & potentially opening the door for swarms of the insect to thrive in our cold little country..

Removing Malaria from the Mosquito would obviously be a good thing, and the pro's of rolling out this technology, may easily outweigh the con's.. Are these scientists taking a step too far?

[A_man_about_a_dog]

The pros probably would out weigh the con's, true. But, I am still not 100% sure whether it would be ethically right to mess with the natural order of things.

For example, if science got to the stage where we had cures for every potentially lethal disease in the world should we allow them to be used?
It would undoubtedly be great for people who suffer from the diseases but it would also cause a massive increase in life expectancy aswell as the world population.
-If I were to take a religious standpoint on it I would say that no we should not because God created the world, etc, and therefore God created the diseases for a reason, probably population control.
-We could also look at it form the point of view that by messing with the current disease we have the potential to force the disease to mutate and form a stronger, tougher disease which would require years of further research to profile fully.

With regards to only the Malaria case I was just wondering if there is any information on the chances of the new super- mosquito and the old malaria-filled mosquito interbreeding? Surely this would in turn lead to a Malaria filled super-mosquito?

[Catalpa]

Maybe they should read up a bit on things first before proceeding any further...

Here's a suggestion:

http://www.literature.org/authors/shell ... nkenstein/

[The OD]

Whilst I dont in principle have any opposition to genetic engineering, I think its way to soon to start tinkering with this sort of thing. The biosphere is incredibly complex and its all too easy to mess things up badly.

I applaud the sentiment, but have grave reservations about it nonetheless.

[Catalpa]

Whilst I dont in principle have any opposition to genetic engineering, I think its way to soon to start tinkering with this sort of thing. The biosphere is incredibly complex and its all too easy to mess things up badly.

I applaud the sentiment, but have grave reservations about it nonetheless.

Here's on they tried earlier in an attempt to wipe out a pest- and created an even bigger one!

http://www.canetoadbattle.com/

[Simon.D]

With regards to only the Malaria case I was just wondering if there is any information on the chances of the new super- mosquito and the old malaria-filled mosquito interbreeding? Surely this would in turn lead to a Malaria filled super-mosquito?

Thats the idea behind the research, i.e. to breed out the malaria carrying gene from the wild population using these modified insects..

I was inaccurate with the title of this thread though, the BBC's wording had me off on a tangent!.. Having just read the paper in question.. The researchers involved haven't actually added anything to strengthen mosquito's, they've simply made a mosquito that won't succumb to malaria or similar parasites, meaning it won't get sick. Essentially they're just vaccinating the species genetically, meaning the modified insects won't be any stronger than their Malaria-Free cousins in the wild, but will be substantially more resilient than sick populations in the Malaria strongholds..

[A_man_about_a_dog]

Essentially they're just vaccinating the species genetically, meaning the modified insects won't be any stronger than their Malaria-Free cousins in the wild, but will be substantially more resilient than sick populations in the Malaria strongholds

What if mosquitos from one region, say Asia, are carrying a minutely different strain of malaria to the ones in the Carribean. Surely in a situation such as that there is some potential for the 'vaccined' mosquitos to become infected?

[Xipe Totec]

I would prefer to see scientists working on ways to wipe out those irritating little b*stards, rather than downgrading them from a deadly pest to a pest.

They probably form some vital link in the food chain though

Goddamned mosquitoes, always one step ahead...

[Bogwarrior]

Just thank your Lord these b'stards don't transmit AIDS.
Imagine the human exodus from mosquito ridden countries to...well Ireland and a handful of other countries.

[Coles]

Any of you God freaks out there with a difficulty with this one? Surely the good Lord wouldn't approve of such a modification of His/Her work...