According to the British "Sun" report on the 8th, in order to prevent the spread of malaria and other diseases, mutant mosquitoes grown in the laboratory will be released in Florida and Texas in the United States this summer. But scientists are concerned about the lack of oversight of the plan.
The genetically modified mosquitoes developed by British biotechnology company Oxitec will kill or reduce their numbers by mating with local common mosquitoes. While the technology shows promise in experiments, experts warn the plan could go horribly wrong in the wild.
“This strategy has considerable potential benefits for the hundreds of millions of people affected by mosquito-borne diseases each year.” A group of scientists and ethicists said: “However, we are concerned that the current government Oversight and scientific evaluation of genetically modified mosquitoes cannot ensure that they are deployed responsibly.”
Extended information:
Results in studying genetically modified mosquitoes:
These. Genetically modified mosquitoes had no obvious advantage when fed blood that was not infected with Plasmodium, but after being fed blood containing Plasmodium, they were better able to adapt to the environment than ordinary mosquitoes. This means that compared with ordinary mosquitoes, genetically modified mosquitoes have greater reproductive and survival capabilities and lower mortality rates. Infection with Plasmodium does not kill ordinary mosquitoes, but it reduces their reproduction rate.
The reproductive capacity of the genetically modified mosquitoes is not affected by Plasmodium infection. After 9 generations (a few months), they accounted for 70% of the total mosquito population in the laboratory, whereas at the beginning they only accounted for 70% of the total mosquito population. 50%.
Scientists believe that large numbers of genetically modified mosquitoes can be released into malaria-infested areas and allowed to mate with wild mosquitoes. Over several generations, this resistance to malaria could spread widely among mosquitoes, resulting in fewer mosquitoes carrying the malaria virus.
However, environmental groups point out that the practice of mating naturally occurring species with genetically modified species is quite controversial. There are also critics who say that the consequences of modifying mosquito genes are difficult to see immediately. As a result, even scientists working on genetically modified mosquitoes say further research is needed before they can be released into the wild.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
China Net - The United States will release millions of genetically modified mosquitoes into the environment