# Modified Mosquitos - Yea or Nay? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 20, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526 "2020-08-20T00:25:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/21 "2020-08-23T21:35:24Z")
Sterile mosquitoes, not gene drive. Aedes aegypti, not Anopheles. And I wouldn’t wipe out all Anopheles mosquitoes. There are almost 500 species, maybe 100 can transmit malaria in the lab, and only about 40 are actually epidemiologically important. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/22 "2020-08-23T22:07:02Z")
Not a mosquito fan by any means, but for those advocating extinction for them, don’t mosquitoes make up a goodly portion of the food supplies for birds and bats? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/23 "2020-08-24T12:31:00Z")
According to a podcast on the subject I heard a few years ago, no: nothing relies so heavily on mosquitos in their diet that they’d face serious problems if mosquitos disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/24 "2020-08-24T12:37:40Z")
We’re only talking about one species of mosquito here, and it’s not native to the area anyway - its an invasive species. We could get rid of all 50-100 or so really epidemiologically important mosquito species and other species that are not important in disease transmission would happily take their place. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/25 "2020-08-24T12:56:44Z")
Can we use this technique to target invasive mosquito species like the Asian Tiger Mosquito in the United States? I believe I speak on behalf of all my fellow citizens when I volunteer my 75 mile radius area as a test zone. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/26 "2020-08-24T14:16:19Z")
I would much rather this, than the insecticide spraying method that is usually used. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/27 "2020-08-24T14:44:03Z")
Its being done for the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) by a different group in a slightly different way. Instead of sterilizing by genetic modification, the researchers (MosquitoMate) have transferred a new strain of Wolbachia bacteria into their release strain, making the males incompatible with the wild females. They sex the mosquitoes physically and release only males. The company Verily is doing the same thing with Aedes aegypti in California. (note, this is different from other groups who are using Wolbachia to spread into populations to control dengue virus). ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/28 "2020-08-24T18:23:00Z")
I have no problem with this. As stated before, no one species solely depends on mosquitoes, they are just a part of the diet for many species. And I support the use of genetic modification. So I say kill 'em all! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/29 "2020-08-24T22:26:07Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > There’s a mosquito problem in Antarctica?! There was a crime wave in Antarctica, once. Turned out to be someone mistyping the latitude and longitude when they entered crimes into a worldwide crime database. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/30 "2020-08-25T17:44:11Z")
If this works you can dump all 750 million of them in my backyard. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/31 "2020-08-26T13:10:12Z")
If this works, the next step is to apply the same technology to lobbyists. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/32 "2021-04-28T21:24:01Z")
Bumping this thread due to recent mosquito activity 😀 Looks like they are moving forward with this plan. I will be interested in seeing how successful this will be. > **[Nearly 144K GMO Mosquitoes to be Released in South Florida: What We Know](https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-released-in-florida-what-we-know/2439142/)** > > Nearly 144,000 genetically modified mosquitoes are set to be released in South Florida this week as part of an effort to reduce the population disease-carrying mosquitoes. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/33 "2021-04-28T21:29:14Z")
I think there are two reasonable possibilities here: 1. The program works, and disease-carrying mosquito populations plummet. 2. The program goes Jurassic Park, and Florida becomes a post-apocalyptic hellscape ravaged by swarms of dachshund-sized mutant skeeters phlebotomizing everyone in sight, gorging themselves on the blood of tourists and retirees. I’m not seeing a downside. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/34 "2021-04-29T14:37:51Z")
It’s about time this finally got approved. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/35 "2021-04-29T15:23:34Z")
When ever I hear about this topic I am reminded of the following interview I heard on NPR, \ > **[Mosquitoes. What Are They Good For?](https://www.npr.org/2016/02/19/467395225/mosquitoes-what-are-they-good-for)** > > NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Nora Besansky, a professor of biology specializing in mosquitoes, about what would happen if mosquitoes were eradicated. He was talking with a mosquito researecher who was talking about all of the good things that mosquitos do and then there was the following dialogue. > SHAPIRO: So we might not want to get rid of all 3,500 or 4,000 species of mosquito, but if, for example, we get rid of the Aedes Aegypti, which is the species that carries the Zika virus, you’d be OK with that? > > BESANSKY: I think that would be a very good outcome, yes. > > SHAPIRO: I know that generally scientists try not to place a value judgment on an entire species, but did I just hear you say that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito is a bad species? We can just stamp it with that label and get rid of it if possible? > > BESANSKY: Yes, you did hear me say that. If you have the time its worth a listen in context. So with a mosquito ecologist expert behind me, my opinion generally leans in the direction of nuke the motherfuckers from orbit. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/36 "2021-04-29T15:48:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > The program goes Jurassic Park, and Florida becomes a post-apocalyptic hellscape And nobody notices. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/37 "2021-04-29T16:21:44Z")
Downside: mosquito populations plummet, and Florida Man proliferates in its stead. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/38 "2021-04-29T16:25:58Z")
> [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](#): > > Downside: mosquito populations plummet, and Florida Man proliferates in its stead _Homo sapiens floridanus_ is not to be trifled with ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/39 "2021-04-29T17:20:20Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > > > But the company claims a good track record with supposed successes in Brazil, Panama and Antarctica. > > There’s a mosquito problem in Antarctica?! I was scratching my head at that too. I’m guessing maybe the OP meant Australia?? ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526/40 "2021-04-29T17:24:45Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > So Florida is planning on releasing 750m mosquitos in the wild 750-metre mosquitoes? 😵 😱 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modified-mosquitos-yea-or-nay/918526.md?page=3)