Is birth control for mosquitos the solution?
Will there finally be an end to needing Malaria prevention medication and mosquito nets?
It's a great discovery but a little bit pointless - so they are gonna make it a spray form? So you spray the air and the mosquitos are unable to mate?
Why don't you just spray the air and kill them?
Reply to this Now they are being genetically modified to prevent dengue fever. Maybe future travellers get to avoid the hassles we have with trying to prevent and cure Malaria and Dengue, during our travels.
LONDON (AP) — Scientists have released genetically modified mosquitoes in an experiment to fight dengue fever in the Cayman Islands, British experts said Thursday.
It is the first time genetically altered mosquitoes have been set loose in the wild, after years of laboratory experiments and hypothetical calculations. But while scientists believe the trial could lead to a breakthrough in stopping the disease, critics argue the mutant mosquitoes might wreak havoc on the environment.
Mutant mosquitoes fight dengue in Cayman Islands
(AP) – 3 days ago
Reply to this Strictly speaking the scientists are trying to get rid of the specific species of mosquitoes that transmit dengue. It would be a great step forward, especially for people living in the endemic areas many of which can not afford drugs and other prevention measures. But don't expect that this will happen any time soon, there are still lot's of hurdles.
Reply to this Another possible Malaria prevention. But, I think given the choice I might choose Malaria over spending the night with one of those spiders.
Not the most appealing-looking house guest, but it could help combat malaria
From
Mosquito-eating spider likes smelly socks
Reply to this Like almost all other attempts to "eradicate" malaria and dengue its unfortunately going to be a long long time if its ever delivered to where its needed, when it works. If it works. The problem with targeting the particular species that is the vector/carrier for dengue may have a fairly high morphology rate and change its vector to another species of mosquito allowing the continuation of Dengue. Virii are awesomely fascinating things, just a shame they kill so many people.
Might keep tourists happy but dengue and malaria are likely to kill hundreds of thousands a year because - cost...the people who need it most are those that dont have the funds to buy it.
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