Controlling Mosquitoes with Genetics

Mosquitoes are well known vectors of a number of pathogens that can infect and cause sickness or death in humans.  Because of their role in disease transmission, the control of mosquitoes is an important focus for many countries.  Traditionally pesticides have been used to kill both the adults and larval forms of various mosquito species.  These techniques include fogging at night for adult mosquitoes and applying Bt toxin  or oil based larvicides on water surfaces to inhibit larva from breathing or to outright cause larval death.


 


Recently, health officials in Florida hope to implement a different strategy.  They plan to release genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys to combat dengue fever and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.  The push for approval from the FDA to release GMO mosquitoes is that health officials in Florida indicate that years of insecticide spraying have caused high levels of resistance in the target species of mosquito, A. Aegypti.  The move is not without controversy though as some groups oppose the use of GMO insects (Allen, 2015).

Prior history would show that sterile males, albeit not genetically modified have been successful in controlling another Dipetran species in the United States, the screwworm fly.  In my opinion, field trials should be initiated as these GMO mosquitoes could save both human suffering and the costs for caring for infected individuals.

Works Cited:

Allen, G. (2015, January 28). Florida Health Officials Hope To Test GMO Mosquitoes This Spring. Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2015/01/28/382168407/florida-health-officials-hope-to-test-gmo-mosquitoes-this-spring