Mosquitoes genetically modified (GM) proved to be highly effective combat dengue fever, malaria and other diseases caused by mosquitoes. This was stated by a team of scientists in the UK on Monday (31/10/2011). Male mosquitoes have been engineered so that their offspring die before they can reproduce.
British scientists that the research results have been demonstrated in some parts of the Cayman Islands are hit by dengue fever, the researchers found that male mosquitoes GM successfully mate with wild female mosquitoes. In studies in the area, about 16 percent of male mosquitoes only ten percent of GM's managed to become "father" of the mosquito larvae. Although not comparable with other wild males mating process, has shown significant success.
"We were really surprised by this success," said Luka Alphey, Oxford University professor who became chairman of the study. "For this method, you just need to get a reasonable proportion of female mosquitoes to mate with male mosquitoes GM," he said.
In a scientific bulletin Biotechnologi Nature Journal, experts said although mosquito mating was successful, not to prove anything when there in the wild. Especially in reducing the number of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Dengue fever is caused by a virus that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito bites to humans.
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are about 50 million cases of dengue fever each year and is increasing in some countries. Even the WHO team reported an "explosion of deployment". Ironically, until now there is no cure or effective vaccine against the disease.
Actually in 1940, has no such method, by taking off the mosquitoes that had been sterilized males into the wild. The hope, can control disease-carrying insects or agricultural pests. When female mosquitoes lay their eggs and male mosquitoes to breed by GM, will likely get a small descent. That is, the decline is also the possibility of transmitting disease.
In the year 1950, type Screwworm flies successfully eradicated in Curacao, Caribbean island of sterilization method on male flies with radiation. However, this technology does not work well against the insects that carry disease. In general, the process of sterilization is to weaken the male insects, especially the dominant male in the wild.
Oxitec, a company from the University of Oxford, has been the approach uses genetic engineering. Descendants of GM male mosquitoes that live through their larval stage, while still going to die before reaching the pupal or adult stage. *** [BBC | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 01112011]
British scientists that the research results have been demonstrated in some parts of the Cayman Islands are hit by dengue fever, the researchers found that male mosquitoes GM successfully mate with wild female mosquitoes. In studies in the area, about 16 percent of male mosquitoes only ten percent of GM's managed to become "father" of the mosquito larvae. Although not comparable with other wild males mating process, has shown significant success.
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| Malaria mosquito feeding. Close-up of an Anopheles gambiae female mosquito biting into human skin, taking a blood meal. Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria. The parasite responsible for malaria (Plasmodium) is carried in the female mosquito's saliva. Female mosquitoes have a long proboscis adapted for piercing human skin to suck blood. Here, the abdomen of the mosquito appears red due to ingested blood. Anopheles mosquitoes have long legs and assume a characteristic posture during feeding. The hind legs are not anchored to the victim's skin and the head is held at an angle. Malaria is a major health problem and a killer disease in Africa, Asia and South America. (Picture from: http://www.sciencephoto.com/) |
"We were really surprised by this success," said Luka Alphey, Oxford University professor who became chairman of the study. "For this method, you just need to get a reasonable proportion of female mosquitoes to mate with male mosquitoes GM," he said.
In a scientific bulletin Biotechnologi Nature Journal, experts said although mosquito mating was successful, not to prove anything when there in the wild. Especially in reducing the number of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Dengue fever is caused by a virus that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito bites to humans.
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| The life cycle of Malaria (Picture from: http://zoonosesdiseases.com/) |
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there are about 50 million cases of dengue fever each year and is increasing in some countries. Even the WHO team reported an "explosion of deployment". Ironically, until now there is no cure or effective vaccine against the disease.
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| Dengue haemorrhagic fever is an infectious disease caused by dengue virus carried by Aedes Aegypti mosquito. With clinical manifestations of fever, sore muscles and joints, accompanied lekopenia, rash, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia, and hemorrhagic diathesis. (Picture from: http://health-teller.blogspot.com/) |
Actually in 1940, has no such method, by taking off the mosquitoes that had been sterilized males into the wild. The hope, can control disease-carrying insects or agricultural pests. When female mosquitoes lay their eggs and male mosquitoes to breed by GM, will likely get a small descent. That is, the decline is also the possibility of transmitting disease.
In the year 1950, type Screwworm flies successfully eradicated in Curacao, Caribbean island of sterilization method on male flies with radiation. However, this technology does not work well against the insects that carry disease. In general, the process of sterilization is to weaken the male insects, especially the dominant male in the wild.
Oxitec, a company from the University of Oxford, has been the approach uses genetic engineering. Descendants of GM male mosquitoes that live through their larval stage, while still going to die before reaching the pupal or adult stage. *** [BBC | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 01112011]
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