Genetically modified Mosquitoes released in the US

by Alisha Bhagat, May 12
1 minute read

A biotech firm launched a field test of genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida. The purpose of the modified mosquitoes is to suppress populations of mosquitoes carrying diseases such as Zika, Dengue, and Yellow Fever.

So what?

This is the first test of its kind. If successful, the genetically modified mosquitoes could be used in lieu of harmful insecticides and would mean a reduction in mosquito borne disease. However, critics are worried about the ethics and potential negative repercussions.

Sources

First genetically modified mosquitoes released in the United States https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01186-6

Details

Location: North AmericaUnited States
Topic: BiodiversityClimate changeHealth
Other Tags: Ecosystems Health

by Alisha Bhagat Spotted 27 signals

Alisha Bhagat is the futures lead at Forum for the Future. Her work focuses on the creative use of futures tools to impact long term positive change, particularly around social justice and equality. Alisha brings a broad toolkit to her work and designs games, creates immersive experiences, and brings the future to life. In addition to her work at Forum, Alisha is a part-time faculty member at Parsons School of Design where she teaches the Futures Studies and Speculative Design certificate. Prior to joining Forum, Alisha was a foreign policy consultant for the US government and a fellow at the East-West Center in Honolulu. Alisha holds an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a BS in Anthropology and History from Carnegie Mellon University. She was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 2005. When not thinking about the future, Alisha is an avid gamer and science fiction enthusiast.

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