Scientists Release Controversial Genetically Modified Mosquitoes In High-Security Lab

-


     

    


       For years now, scientists have been trying to find a cure for Malaria. Though most of the time attempts have been made to create a medication, researchers in Terni, Italy started to solve the problem from the source. Recently, they released a genetically modified mosquito into a controlled environment of normal mosquitoes.


Crates of genetically modified mosquitoes.
       To prevent any unforeseen effects on the environment, scientists usually try to stop the modifications from spreading to the uncontained organisms in the environment. But in this case, researchers want the modification to spread, so they engineered the project using a gene drive.

Scientists breeding mosquitoes

    With a gene drive, the genes do not behave normally. When the mosquitoes mate, the modified gene will almost always be transferred to the offspring. This gene makes the female offspring unable to bite, which will make it impossible for malaria to spread. If these mosquitoes are released, the population of mosquitoes will be decreased dramatically, but there won't be a spread in malaria.


Microscopic images to tell whether the modification is spreading
       Though the concept is good, I believe that humans shouldn't wipe out a species and destroy an ecosystem for their own personal gain. However, the concept of genetic modification is a tool that could be used well in the future. If genetic modification helps a species and an ecosystem, and if it solves a problem, it should be used. When used in this way, genetic modification could create a better future.



https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/02/20/693735499/scientists-release-controversial-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-in-high-security-lab

https://www.kff.org/news-summary/researchers-test-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-in-high-security-italian-lab-study-examines-ethics-of-pest-elimination/



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mahar-ullah Shahminah- Molecular Gastronomy

-
Image
Molecular Gastronomy   By: Shahminah Mahar-ullah Date:3/22/19 Molecular Gastronomy is both a fusion of science and cooking. The scientific discipline gives the chef complete control of what the texture, taste, and physical appearance of the dish. Molecular Gastronomy is a modern unique style of cooking that some would say it could be considered art. There are three aspects of Molecular Gastronomy, as i said before it is texture,taste,and physical appearance. Molecular Gastronomy can have a very simple and familiar taste or a new and unique taste. Taste is often a aspect that is forgotten about in Molecular Gastronomy. Mostly because people who don't know much about the style of cooking kinda forget that its actually cooking ,not just some form a science. Taste is the main focus with cooking in general and with molecular cooking taste can be brought to a whole new level since you have complete control over each part of the dish. Same goes for physical appearance and ...
Read more

Chemically termolecular reactions: The fourth class of chemical reactions

-
Image
Chemically termolecular reactions: The fourth class of chemical reactions Maisy Chase Up until now only three classes of chemical reactions were known. Unimolecular reactions occur when one reactant undergoes bond breaking or forming to create different products. Bimolecular reactions are where two reactants collide and then undergo bond breaking or forming. Termolecular association reactions, where two reactants collide to form a whole with a new chemical bond between the two reactants. A third molecule, known as the bath gas, then removes some of the internal kinetic energy of that molecule to stabilize it. Researchers from Columbia University , led by Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Michael P. Burke, have discovered a fourth class of chemical reaction known as “chemically termolecular reactions.” This involves the breaking and bonding of three molecules. The team showed that these chemically termolecular reactions not only are major chemical pathways but also ...
Read more

Force and Motion

-
Image
Zach Fluck Science blog Force and Motion Blog Sir Isaac Newton was an English astronomer, physicist, and mathematician, born on December 25, 1642. He died on March 20, 1727, most likely from mercury poisoning or old age. However, during his life, he made several contributions to modern science and advanced our understanding of physics tremendously. Arguably his most famous discovery was gravity. However, he had to use his 3 laws of motion to make this accomplishment. Newton understood that an object at rest will stay at rest, unless acted on by unbalanced forces. Therefore, if an object such as an apple is in a resting position there must be a force to make the apple fall to the ground. He discovered this invisible force to be gravity. At a young age Newton was removed from school to be a farmhand. Despite returning to school the turning point in his live was he left his hometown to attend Cambridge University. After attending Cambridge he returned to his hometown where his observat...
Read more