A new study by Macquarie University researchers suggests that genetically modified male mosquitoes could be used to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The technique, called the toxic male technique, involves modifying male mosquitoes to produce venomous proteins in their semen, which reduces the lifespan of female mosquitoes.
A new study by Macquarie University researchers has suggested that the toxic male technique could be used to address the prevalence of mosquito-borne illness. The scientists, which genetically modified fruit flies to produce venomous sperm, found that this technique reduce female fruit flies by more than half. Researchers say this approach could be used to reduce mosquito species linked with diseases like dengue fever and zika virus.
Diseases passed to humans through mosquito bites could be reduced thanks to a method which poisons the female insects during sex. A Macquarie University team genetically modified male fruit flies to produce venomous proteins in their semen while mating. They call it the toxic male technique, which the study found reduced the life span of female fruit flies by up to 60 percent. The study, completed by researchers from Macquarie University, noted that the genetically modified male fruit flies reduced the lifespan of females by 60 percent.'Ideally it's quite rapid,' he said.He said the female fruit flies lived for about six or seven days after they mated with the poisonous males.The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggested the technique would have the same impact on mosquitoes.'There are about 3,500 species of mosquito, but there are only about five to 10 or so that spread disease in humans.' The research found reducing the population of mosquito species that carry deadly diseases — like dengue and zika — would in turn reduce how often they feed on human blood by up to 60 percent.'All are invasive outside of Sub-Saharan Africa,' he said.The ambition is that this research could be adapted to be used on mosquitoes responsible for illnesses, such as the Zika virus infection and Dengue fever.Mr Beach said facilities across the globe could mass produce eggs for these genetically modified mosquitoes, and freeze them for transpor
GENETIC MODIFICATION MOSQUITOES DISEASES DENGUE FEVER ZIKA VIRUS
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