Florida releasing genetically modified mosquitoes to prevent diseases like Zika

Hundreds of millions of genetically modified mosquitoes will soon be released in the Florida Keys island chain to wipe out local populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes, according to news reports. 

The big questions are, will it work and will it have unintended effects on the environment? 

The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District currently budgets about $1 million a year to combat the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can carry diseases like Zika virus and dengue fever and pass them on to humans, according to Gizmodo. In comparison to costly mosquito control tactics, such as aerial spraying of insecticides, the plan to release 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes to mate with local A. aegypti may be less expensive and more effective, according to the board. 

Story continues ... >>

 


The views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of WomenInScience.com.


About Us

At Women in Science, our goal is to build a supportive community to connect women who are in science / STEM fields. Our mission is to promote recruitment and retention of women in science, and to enlist companies and institutions for a broad coalition of educators and employers to help bring down the barriers and empower women in their chosen fields. More ... >>

Contact info

WomenInScience.com
9951 ATLANTIC BLVD., STE 105
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225
U.S.A.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (904) 638-1058

Career Network

www.postdocjobs.comwww.stemcareers.com