Blog 9: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Released in Brazil

Summary:
In Brazil, many people have been suffering from the deadly and fatal dengue fever. In efforts to prevent an increase in cases, a campaign in Brazil has decided to release a swarm of genetically modified mosquitoes made to wipe out their own kind. Dengue fever is one of the leading causes of illness and death in Brazil. Although chemical insecticides are an option for exterminating the mosquitoes, this method has not worked for Brazil, due to its tropical conditions and soaring number of reported cases. Millions of genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were released, which has a lethal gene designed to devastate their own population. However, there are concerns about their potential impact on human health and the environment, which are the same concerns that genetically modified foods carry.

Analysis:
It amazes me how much and how quickly technology is advancing right before our eyes. If the release of these genetically modified mosquitoes end up being successful in getting rid of the dengue fever-causing mosquitoes, this could mean we would be able to come up cures and solutions on a bigger scale. Maybe for cancer, AIDS, and many other illnesses affecting us all over the world. However, the concern raised in the article about the potential harmful effects of the genetically modified mosquitoes are troublesome. This act of releasing the genetically modified mosquitoes is almost like a “test.” No body is really certain on the true effects of the release. It is almost as if they are hoping that this will turn out to be successful, knowing that there are the possibilities of something worse happening. However, it is still amazing how much technology has advanced, and if this does end up being successful, it will be a first step towards solving global health issues.

Link:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/health/140407/brazil-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-dengue