Remember that one bug flying around your head, and all you hear is “buzz”. That bug could have had a disease picked up by another animal and could have pass it on to anyone. If only there was a bug swatter around. But have no fear a theory is here! Scientists have developed a genome to fight these diseases at their core. If the GMO mosquitoes work, it can bring a deadly disease into positions where it could be controlled. Dr. Michael Riehle and his assistants are using mosquitoes to control and help handle malaria. Mosquitoes can be used to control malaria, but malaria multiplies and travels primarily by mosquito. If we modify the mosquito to destroy the disease, as it is weak and being developed, it will slow the multiplying process for malaria.
…show more content…
Scientists have found know ways to control malaria though GMO mosquitoes. Dr. Michael Riehle is leading the development of mosquitoes with a group of scientists by modifying the mosquitoes’ genome in a way that would cause Plasmodium parasite would no longer be able to induce infection (Global Genes (Ed.). ““The eradication scenario requires three things: A gene that disrupts the development of the parasite inside the mosquito, a genetic technique to bring that gene into the mosquito genome and a mechanism that gives the mosquito an edge over the natural populations so they can displace them over time,” said Dr. Riehle.” (Global Genes (Ed.). The scientists found that they will need to give the genetically modified mosquitoes an advantage over the current population, so they can push them out. (Global Genes (Ed.). Dr. Riehle, with the help of multiple scientists, is spearheading the research needed to fight malaria.If this works, millions upon millions of people will be cured or at least not have to worry about getting malaria. This could also put malaria in a position better for controlling. This idea, if it works, can be used to control more than just malaria; it can be used to kill any disease that spreads by mosquitoes. “The release of mosquitoes that are genetically manipulated to destroy the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is being considered as a possible method for malaria control. Hopes for this have been raised by the identification of genes involved in the mosquito's immune response and by advances in the tools required to transform mosquitoes.” (Koella). This genome also acts like a kill switch for the mosquitoes. The genetically modified mosquitoes will die in the absence of tetracycline, which scientists have to control so the mosquitoes will live long enough to breed and then die. This is so that the mosquitoes can
Scientists have found know ways to control malaria though GMO mosquitoes. Dr. Michael Riehle is leading the development of mosquitoes with a group of scientists by modifying the mosquitoes’ genome in a way that would cause Plasmodium parasite would no longer be able to induce infection (Global Genes (Ed.). ““The eradication scenario requires three things: A gene that disrupts the development of the parasite inside the mosquito, a genetic technique to bring that gene into the mosquito genome and a mechanism that gives the mosquito an edge over the natural populations so they can displace them over time,” said Dr. Riehle.” (Global Genes (Ed.). The scientists found that they will need to give the genetically modified mosquitoes an advantage over the current population, so they can push them out. (Global Genes (Ed.). Dr. Riehle, with the help of multiple scientists, is spearheading the research needed to fight malaria.If this works, millions upon millions of people will be cured or at least not have to worry about getting malaria. This could also put malaria in a position better for controlling. This idea, if it works, can be used to control more than just malaria; it can be used to kill any disease that spreads by mosquitoes. “The release of mosquitoes that are genetically manipulated to destroy the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is being considered as a possible method for malaria control. Hopes for this have been raised by the identification of genes involved in the mosquito's immune response and by advances in the tools required to transform mosquitoes.” (Koella). This genome also acts like a kill switch for the mosquitoes. The genetically modified mosquitoes will die in the absence of tetracycline, which scientists have to control so the mosquitoes will live long enough to breed and then die. This is so that the mosquitoes can