Genetically Engineered Malaria-Resistant Mosquito 35
David_Bloom writes "According to this Yahoo! News article, a team of German and American genenetic engineering experts have successfully created a malaria-resistant mosquito. Sounds good, but the scientists are still unsure about how to actually apply this to the world's large mosquito population."
Perfect. (Score:1)
Ya know, if they had actually added some desirable genetic (to other mosquitoes) mutations, it would work. Like giant mosquito dicks or fat mosquito wallets, or something like that.
Don't need quinine anymore (Score:4, Interesting)
Wonder if it's possible if they could introduce this new species in the old environment and have it wipe out the old kind. That's what they do with killer bees, they replace the killer queen with a homely queen and all the bees born thereafter and normal and well-adjusted.
Re:Don't need quinine/replacing dangerous bugs (Score:2)
Interesting possibilities (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Interesting possibilities (Score:1)
Genenetics? (Score:1)
Ooops (Score:1, Funny)
8-P
(note to moderators: i wrote this slashdot article. this is not offtopic :-D)
What to do.... (Score:1)
Why can't they make mosquitos... (Score:2, Interesting)
You know, I can put this liquid on my dog's skin and for three months, he's immune to fleas. Completely immune - they die if they touch him. Why isn't there something like this for humans?
Personally, I favor pulling back to suborbital range, saturation bombing the planet with DEET until it's livable, and then coming back.
Re:Why can't they make mosquitos... (Score:1)
Re:Why can't they make mosquitos... (Score:1)
Re:Why can't they make mosquitos... (Score:1)
I am basing my information on a Discovery Channel show on insect repellents. The researchers in the labs have been bitten enough times that they can be bitten multiple times (by inserting their arm into a box filled with mosquitoes) and still come away with no reaction whatsoever.
It's not a job I'd want...
Re:Why can't they make mosquitos... (Score:2)
Have a look at this article at BBC [bbc.co.uk].
Specifically, this part:
This could be done by:...
-Turkey
Here's how to do it (Score:1)
Anyway, I think they should make a mosquito that can transmit HIV. That would be a funky terrorist weapon.
Re:Here's how to do it (Score:1)
Re:Here's how to do it (Score:1)
Re:Here's how to do it (Score:1)
(Seriously: take a look at the history behind some of those mid-teen numbered amendments... sheesh.)
Re:Here's how to do it (Score:1)
Re:Here's how to do it (Score:1)
Um... I think that alcohol is the one thing interstate commerce can't touch. Granted, I think it was a self-imposed limit, but even though they can change such things, they're not wont to do so.
Waiting until I can hit reply again....
Re:Here's how to do it (Score:1)
Different approach with the tse-tse fly (Score:4, Insightful)
Tricky business (Score:1)
If there's one thing I learned, it's the fact that humans tend to forget the complexity and interdependence of ecosystems; research must be done to map and investigate the relationship of the malaria pathogen with other organisms. This may sound crude, but in a way diseases can keep a balance in nature. If the human population keeps growing and searching for ways to fight diseases, they'll get back at us. Think of MRSA for example; all we need is time and enough administered vancomycin (our last resort against several multiple resistant bacteria) to induce complete resistance of pathogens against current antibiotics.
Re:Tricky business (Score:2)
I hear what you're that we should be cautious with science and intraducing populations of organisms (ie Gypsy Moth) -- but to stop searching for cures to diesase is far from the right answer.
What do you suggest we do? Just bend over and let disease flatten populations? Is it OK that we not fight a disease it its not in our backyard, or if most of the people afflicted are not the right color or relegion? What disease is worth fighting? AIDS? Cancer? Malaria has killed more than both put together. More reasearch has been performed on malaria than most diseases -- agian, you might be right that care should be taken, but this is one that is definitely worth fighting.
What is comes down to is quality of life. If it weren't for medical science, we would still be dying in our early 40's. Medical science is not our enemy.
-Turkey
Re:Tricky business (Score:1)
Re:Tricky business (Score:2)
I completely agree with where you are coming from...but the article that you link to in your post quotes the scientists specifically paying regard to your concern. Depending on their review process, I don't think that they're necessarily jumping into anything.
However, the scientists, including Dr Andrea Crisanti at Imperial College London, UK, say there would need to be a full political, ethical and scientific review before any such genetically-modified animals were released into the environment.
This point was emphasised by Chris Curtis, professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
"I think one should have concern for the remote possibility that the modifications could make the mosquitoes able to carry a virus that they cannot carry at present," he told the BBC.
See what I mean?
-Turkey
Did anyone else read this as... (Score:1)
'Cause I didn't.
Wipe out mosquitos forever (Score:2)
If they want mosquitos gone, they should convince RIAA executives that in the next 5 years, a mosquito might be used by someone to copy a 'hit single' for a friend.
Wrong focus (Score:2)
They should genetically engineer malaria-resistant humans instead, right?