Genetically modified mosquitoes may help scientists swat dreaded midge
W. Jean,
The Times,
2021.
Scotland’s bloodthirsty midges may finally meet their match thanks to revolutionary genetic manipulation techniques that could stop the pesky insects biting chunks out of the tourist industry. News that a British biotechnology company has created genetically modified non-biting mosquitoes in Florida to help curb dengue and yellow fever, and ultimately malaria, may give hope in the fight against the annual Scottish scourge. Oxford-based Oxitec and its American partners recently released genetically modified male mosquito larvae into the Florida Keys to control the wild, disease-carrying mosquito population rather than use pesticides. While midges share some characteristics with mosquitoes, Dr Simon Carpenter, a Pirbright Institute entomologist who was part of the team that built the first complete genome of the Highland biting midge, said the gene-editing process More related to this: Next-generation tools to control biting midge populations and reduce pathogen transmission New genetically modified mosquitoes to help fight malaria New gene-drive technologies can help control crop pests Ecology: Gene drives may help control invasive grey squirrel in the UK Researchers help complete world first wasp genome project
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