I just want to point out that I've never heard anyone call for the eradication of mosquitoes that don't spread disease in humans, a major premise of the article.
Well then I'll be the first. Let's just kill them, they're annoying.
The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
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Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#12Mosquitoes that bite humans need to be eradicated. Gene drive. Full stop.
Please don't post shallow, adamant comments on divisive topics. It's flamebait, and we're trying for curious conversation here.
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#13Ok, some of those are really pretty. Still, as the number one killer of humans, ever, I'd say that hate is well earned.
I thought the number one cause of death in humans was heart disease?
In countries where the main problem is an overabundance of food, where people live a long time, then yes, heart disease is the #1 killer.
For most of history and much of the less developed modern world, heart disease is not much of an issue.
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#14I just want to point out that I've never heard anyone call for the eradication of mosquitoes that don't spread disease in humans, a major premise of the article.
Well then I'll be the first. Let's just kill them, they're annoying.
Please don't post shallow dismissals to HN. We want curious conversation here.
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#15I just want to point out that I've never heard anyone call for the eradication of mosquitoes that don't spread disease in humans, a major premise of the article.
Well then I'll be the first. Let's just kill them, they're annoying.
Total agreement. I love this planet but those things need to burn.
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#16Mosquitoes that bite humans need to be eradicated. Gene drive. Full stop.
Please don't post shallow, adamant comments on divisive topics. It's flamebait, and we're trying for curious conversation here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
Just curious, have you seen an uptick in these tours of comments as of late?
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#17I just want to point out that I've never heard anyone call for the eradication of mosquitoes that don't spread disease in humans, a major premise of the article.
I would admit that I didn’t really know much about the existence of mosquitoes that didn’t pose a threat to humans so I think it’s an important article as these species may not be targeted specifically but might become collateral damage if indiscriminate eradication methods are used. I guess in that sense I hope technologies like GM mosquitoes would allow us to eradicate the species that do pose a threat while protecting the ones that may be beneficial.
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#18Perhaps I have been hasty in entirely writing off Diptera.
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#19What use case of Mosquitoes could possibly exist?
Re: The Secret Lives of Mosquitoes
#20I just want to point out that I've never heard anyone call for the eradication of mosquitoes that don't spread disease in humans, a major premise of the article.
I would admit that I didn’t really know much about the existence of mosquitoes that didn’t pose a threat to humans so I think it’s an important article as these species may not be targeted specifically but might become collateral damage if indiscriminate eradication methods are used. I guess in that sense I hope technologies like GM mosquitoes would allow us to eradicate the species that do pose a threat while protec…
I’ll agree with that sentiment. But I think a lot of times at least in certain towns in Massachusetts when certain bad mosquito diseases show up (eee) they start spraying and some towns cancel outdoor activities at dusk.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_equine_encephalitis
I’m not sure how many non biting mosquitos species are here though but I suspect their control methods are pretty broad. I suspect if they weren’t biting us we wouldn’t notice them.
Mosquito genetics is increasing so generic targeting seems possible. Between that and vaccines..