biotech Mini: Scientists successfully test Mosquito killing gene

[rcmaehl]

Source:
NPR

 

TL;DR:

Scientists have figured out a gene modification that can kill off mosquitoes as they try to reproduce, however debates will keep it from being used for a long time.

 

Quotes/Excerpts:

Quote

For the first time, scientists have demonstrated... genetic engineering can rapidly spread a self-destructive genetic modification through a complex species. The scientists used CRISPR to engineer mosquitoes with a "gene drive," which rapidly transmitted a sterilizing mutation. Mosquitoes carrying the mutation were released into cages filled with unmodified mosquitoes. Virtually all of the insects were wiped out. The mosquitoes were created... as a potent new weapon in the... fight against malaria... one of the world's deadliest diseases. The scientists acknowledge the technology raises serious concerns. One major concern is that eradicating... an entire species could have unpredictable effects on the environment. "It could lead to ecosystem crashes... It could lead to other species coming in to fill a niche that are even more a problem,...  It's beyond our ability to predict what the consequences are, except that it could be really devastating." Some worry the approach could be used to create new biological weapons. Crisanti and others argue the potential benefits far outweigh the risks.

 

My Thoughts:
Mosquitoes are the devil and I honestly believe they should be wiped out, however genetic modification of ANY species is always a hot topic for debate.

[.Apex.]

I SAY KILL THEM ALL!

[asus killer]

it's dangerous to be playing natures architect. I have no idea if Mosquitos play any important role in nature but someone can seriously create a bigger problem than the one they are trying to solve.

 

Besides this can be used to sterilize a minority in a country for example.

[mynameisjuan]

I remember reading the impact mosquitos would have if they all were killed and it would be a big deal or even noticeable. I am all for it but how about lets take a few from each continent and freeze them to release later it if does go to shit  

[SolarNova]

"The arrogance of man is thinking they have control of nature, and not the other way around"

[Dissitesuxba11s]

But without mosquitoes we wouldn't have Jurrasic Park.

[Sauron]

We are really good at killing things without worrying about the consequences...

 

As much as I despise mosquitoes, they are may be a crucial part of many ecosystems. Wiping them out might carry plenty of other species with them. The only harmless solution is to find better ways to avoid being bitten, not to exterminate the entire genome.

[Sniperfox47]

How is this new? There were working applications of this back in like... December of 2015.

 

I mean Brazil has already released some back in late 2016 to help control Zika: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/10/brazil-will-release-billions-lab-grown-mosquitoes-combat-infectious-disease-will-it

 

Is this some significant new change to the gene drive? What's newsworthy about this particular mosquito gene drive strain?

[rcmaehl]

7 minutes ago, Sniperfox47 said:

How is this new? There were working applications of this back in like... December of 2015.

 

I mean Brazil has already released some back in late 2016 to help control Zika: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/10/brazil-will-release-billions-lab-grown-mosquitoes-combat-infectious-disease-will-it

 

Is this some significant new change to the gene drive? What's newsworthy about this particular mosquito gene drive strain?

I believe this one is specifically for Malaria which was a different challenge. I'll re-read it shortly. 

[Sauron]

59 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Why not just plant colonies of dragonflies and damselflies in populated areas? They are prolific mosquito hunters both adult and larvae.

They would probably hijack the ecosystem.

[cluelessgenius]

well you know animal testing is always the first step...

so when you guys say "kill them all" im willing to agree but by them id almost suggest we talk about the scientists behind this and destroy their research too.

today its mosquitos tommorrow its people. and before anyone notices were in the third reich again. the worst thing is you wont even notice. people will just be less furtile and then well probably blame it on plastics or some form of evironmental influences. 

im not sure where i saw this but there a series ...or movie?....it might have been a stargate episode im not sure where theres an alien invasion but the aliens are not hostile at all they cure diseases and expand human life expectancy to about 200 years. heres the catch they live like thousands of years and have been steriliring everyone from the first treatment on. effectivly playing the long game.

anway back to my point im highly concerned about this since animal trials (which that is what this feels like to me) are almost just one step in order to finalizing some new drug for human use. so if this works i bet theres enough governments and people lining up already to finaly kill of all of the humas they dont like and pretty soon ..... man i just dont like this ...at all

[The Owl]

Instead of killing completely, just make them be afraid of WIFI and RGB.

[Linus_torvalds]

We are Daleks. We just know "exterminate, exterminate, exterminate"

[Yoinkerman]

Pretty sure this is how we get zombies

[Sniperfox47]

8 minutes ago, cluelessgenius said:

well you know animal testing is always the first step...

so when you guys say "kill them all" im willing to agree but by them id almost suggest we talk about the scientists behind this and destroy their research too.

today its mosquitos tommorrow its people. and before anyone notices were in the third reich again. the worst thing is you wont even notice. people will just be less furtile and then well probably blame it on plastics or some form of evironmental influences. 

im not sure where i saw this but there a series ...or movie?....it might have been a stargate episode im not sure where theres an alien invasion but the aliens are not hostile at all they cure diseases and expand human life expectancy to about 200 years. heres the catch they live like thousands of years and have been steriliring everyone from the first treatment on. effectivly playing the long game.

anway back to my point im highly concerned about this since animal trials (which that is what this feels like to me) are almost just one step in order to finalizing some new drug for human use. so if this works i bet theres enough governments and people lining up already to finaly kill of all of the humas they dont like and pretty soon ..... man i just dont like this ...at all

Except a "killer" gene drive would hit anyone who could share the gene. You can't target it. Unless you made people aware of it, it would hit the entire human population.

[ivan134]

3 hours ago, SolarNova said:

"The arrogance of man is thinking they have control of nature, and not the other way around"

There's nothing natural about a computer, and yet, here you are

[Speed Weed]

I fear roaches than mosquitos. 

[SolarNova]

In all honesty they should leave this be. It’s just not a good idea, forget morality, it’s not logical.

 

Humanity culls, relocates, and destroys species because its the 'best' thing to do, or because it 'beneficial', It euthanizes animals in acts of 'compassion', yet never turns that same judgement on itself.

The one species on this planet in dire need of a culling is humanity, yet humanity is so arrogant in its belief that it above all else should be cherished, with each life being fought to keep alive, it will never do what is most necessary to bring balance back to Earths ecosystems.

Disease is one of nature’s immune systems, by bypassing it, protecting oneself from it, Humanity acts as an unstoppable virus slowly killing its host. Nothing good comes of these actions, todays situation, humanities future prospects in regards to population and resources, is proof of this.

 

I truly hope I live long enough to see the entirety humanity humbled, but alas I doubt I will.

[Peskanova]

6 minutes ago, SolarNova said:

In all honesty they should leave this be. It’s just not a good idea, forget morality, it’s not logical.

 

 

 

Humanity culls, relocates, and destroys species because its the 'best' thing to do, or because it 'beneficial', It euthanizes animals in acts of 'compassion', yet never turns that same judgement on itself.

 

The one species on this planet in dire need of a culling is humanity, yet humanity is so arrogant in its belief that it above all else should be cherished, with each life being fought to keep alive, it will never do what is most necessary to bring balance back to Earths ecosystems.

 

Disease is one of nature’s immune systems, by bypassing it, protecting oneself from it, Humanity acts as an unstoppable virus slowly killing its host. Nothing good comes of these actions, todays situation, humanities future prospects in regards to population and resources, is proof of this.

 

 

 

I truly hope I live long enough to see the entirety humanity humbled, but alas I doubt I will.

Well people like you should live on africa or on another era, then you would will cry tears of joy hearing this news, I love how people critisizes humankind because they mess with the enviroment , well yes we fuck things but its needed, or we wouldnt progress... or its fine to live till 31 and die to a mosquito?

Its easy to critisize being a average 1st world person, try to be a 3rd one or just 400 years back....
 

[asus killer]

7 minutes ago, SolarNova said:

In all honesty they should leave this be. It’s just not a good idea, forget morality, it’s not logical.

 

 

 

Humanity culls, relocates, and destroys species because its the 'best' thing to do, or because it 'beneficial', It euthanizes animals in acts of 'compassion', yet never turns that same judgement on itself.

 

The one species on this planet in dire need of a culling is humanity, yet humanity is so arrogant in its belief that it above all else should be cherished, with each life being fought to keep alive, it will never do what is most necessary to bring balance back to Earths ecosystems.

 

Disease is one of nature’s immune systems, by bypassing it, protecting oneself from it, Humanity acts as an unstoppable virus slowly killing its host. Nothing good comes of these actions, todays situation, humanities future prospects in regards to population and resources, is proof of this.

 

 

 

I truly hope I live long enough to see the entirety humanity humbled, but alas I doubt I will.

planet will leave on, nature will recover, man will self destruct. 

1 minute ago, Peskanova said:

Well people like you should live on africa or on another era, then you would will cry tears of joy hearing this news, I love how people critisizes humankind because they mess with the enviroment , well yes we fuck things but its needed, or we wouldnt progress... or its fine to live till 31 and die to a mosquito?
 

do you really needed to? really. Destroy the planet and all in it is progress?

[Ryujin2003]

I was immediately reminded of these poor bastards.

 

 

Still think it'sa bad idea.

[Velcade]

3 hours ago, Sauron said:

As much as I despise mosquitoes, they are a crucial part of many ecosystems

I'd love to read more on this.  Got a link?

[Ryujin2003]

2 minutes ago, Peskanova said:

Well people like you should live on africa or on another era, then you would will cry tears of joy hearing this news, I love how people critisizes humankind because they mess with the enviroment , well yes we fuck things but its needed, or we wouldnt progress... or its fine to live till 31 and die to a mosquito?

Its easy to critisize being a average 1st world person, try to be a 3rd one or just 400 years back....
 

If been places wherei have t had to worry about dengue or malaria.... Not fun. But iI don't know what the global impacts of this would be. What other species rely on them for food? What will come up in their place?

 

I've been more concerned of big flies and huge wasps.

[dizmo]

2 minutes ago, Ryujin2003 said:

If been places wherei have t had to worry about dengue or malaria.... Not fun. But iI don't know what the global impacts of this would be. What other species rely on them for food? What will come up in their place?

 

I've been more concerned of big flies and huge wasps.

Agreed. If anything should be irradiated, it's the giant Asian hornet. The fact that it only takes a few of them to decimate a hive of honey bees is detrimental to the planet.

[ScratchCat]

I would say this is a step in the right direction but not what we actually need. The issue is not the mosquitos themselves but rather what they carry. 

If a way is developed to control this self destruct so that it only fires for infected mosquitos the impact on the rest of the ecosystem could be minimised.