Carissa - Bersche Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Florida has been preparing for the release of 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes, in an effort to reduce the spread of the Zika virus. All 750 mosquitoes released would be male, since they don’t bite. The plan involves the mating of the modified mosquitoes with indigenous mosquitoes, the modified mosquitoes carry a protein that kills all female mosquito offspring before they reach the age where they can bite and, therefore, transmit Zika virus. Despite the release of these mosquitoes in Brazil, environmentalists in Florida created a petition to prevent their release out of fear of hybrid mosquitoes. The company Oxitec maintains the safety of their release, despite Florida’s skepticism.
Would you trust the release of genetically modified mosquitoes?
Do you agree ethically with the principles of this plan?
Do you think the potential risks are worth the potential reward of reducing Zika virus?
I would not trust the release of genetically mosquitos, because nature has a way of balancing things. We don't know what will happen if maybe some female are able to reproduce what would happen. And also mosquitos help flowers and are a food source for many animals
ReplyDeleteDepending on what modifications I think it could be good, but it is playing with nature which could go wrong. Ethically I think it is good to help control the amount of mosquitos there is in these places. I think to reduce a virus this may be a good start, the only issue I see is maybe aquatic life relying on the larvae.
ReplyDeleteThanks for presenting! - Tyler A.
In theory, I think genetically modifying the mosquitoes aren't a bad thing, especially because it's meant to prevent the spread of Zika virus . However, I can understand why people have issues with it ethically. It raises bigger questions, like for example, to what extent can we modify organisms/ change nature, even if it's beneficial to society? And when does it actually cause more harm than good? I also wonder what effect (if any at all) this would have on animals that rely on mosquitoes for their food source. Very interesting topic!
ReplyDelete-Trinity M.
I think that genetically modifying mosquitoes is a great idea. My family comes from West Africa so they've had plenty of experiences with malaria which kills 445.000 people each year. Although certain species or birds eat mosquitoes I don't think that eradicating mosquitoes would completely devastate any ecosystem. Mosquitoes are not the only pollinators out there. Let's get rid of them!!
ReplyDeleteI trust the release of genetically modified mosquitos because there is a lot of science to go into them and not all of the population will be affected. i agree ethically for the most part because it doesn't necessarily eradicate all mosquitos, just prevents them from virus transmission. I think the risks are worth the potential although a controlled test might be wise to do. - Nathan Clark
ReplyDeleteI do trust the release of genetically modified mosquitoes as they have been tested in both the lab and in Brazil. I do agree with the ethics of this plan as it is designed to limit the spread of a disease. I think that potential risks are worth the reward as Zika impacts many people negatively.
ReplyDeleteCarissa Bersche
I feel like the potential risks are worth the potential reward because since Zika Virus is already a prevalent problem, I don't think hybrid mosquitoes would cause the situation to get worse. I also don't think there is an ethical problem because the the genetically modified subjects are mosquitoes.
ReplyDelete-Shirin Saha
I do agree with this plan becuase the virus is already a problem and since males don't bite it will help the decrease the virus from spreading.
ReplyDeleteI´m all for trying to find something to help the virus, but I cant say something like genetically modified mosquitoes don´t sound worrisome. Even if they are made to not cause us harm anything could happen so I´m not sure.
ReplyDelete-Raquel Morgens