Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#1

Post by wwilson » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:27 PM UTC

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#2

Post by rm_-rf_slash » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:39 PM UTC

Sometimes I wonder if the relentless human intervention in every aspect of nature will create or leave only life that has a value to people, like cows and wheat, or that which can resist domination or destruction by humans, like HIV, treatment-resistant bacteria, and the unassailable cockroach.

Perhaps after a period of rapid upheaval, humanity develops the technology to capture and control those super powerful flora and fauna, and use them for our own devices.

Then we can finally become Pokemon trainers.

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#3

Post by mc32 » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:40 PM UTC

Sounds good, but afaik only a few mosquito species actually are spreaders of diseases affecting humans. I suppose I don't know if those pathogens can mutate to use other mosquitoes as hosts.

While we're at it, get rid of ticks.

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#4

Post by dasil003 » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:42 PM UTC

rm_-rf_slash wrote: post #2

Sometimes I wonder if the relentless human intervention in every aspect of nature will create or leave only life that has a value to people, like cows and wheat, or that which can resist domination or destruction by humans, like HIV, treatment-resistant bacteria, and the unassailable cockroach. Perhaps after a period of rapid upheaval, humanity develops the technology to capture and control those super powerful flora…

I suspect our ecosystem would collapse and humanity itself would be collateral damage before that actually came to pass, maybe I'm overly pessimistic though.

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#5

Post by mikestew » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

This is one of those ideas that sounds genius on its face, until it's actually implemented. Kudzu? Grows fast, prevents erosion, let's pay farmers to till it into the top soil. MTBE? Prevents engine knock, makes for cleaner air, let's mandate its use at the federal level. Whoopsie, once it's in the water we can't get it out, and its a carcinogen.

Let's kill all of the mosquitos because we find their presence unpleasant. Well, that's done and...oh, shit. Turns out there was a value to mosquitos after all. Anyone think to save some of that DNA?

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#6

Post by sunstone » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:45 PM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #3

Sounds good, but afaik only a few mosquito species actually are spreaders of diseases affecting humans. I suppose I don't know if those pathogens can mutate to use other mosquitoes as hosts. While we're at it, get rid of ticks.

Hey I'm concerned about the biters too, as well as the disease carriers. Get rid of both and I'll tolerate the rest buzzing around in my ear. :)

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#7

Post by hellbanner » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:46 PM UTC

On reddit, I remember seeing something like "Research assures government that killing mosquitos would have no negative effect on world ecology"... right above another thread titled "Scientists underestimate ecological impact of species destruction"...

Do we actually understand Mosquitos role in the planet's eco system?

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#8

Post by serge2k » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:47 PM UTC

> We’re told that scientists must work hard to find a new vaccine, as if that would be the best solution to the problem.

Because it's probably easier than just preventing mosquitos.

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#9

Post by AdmiralAsshat » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:47 PM UTC

Interesting that this article shows up now, given that this one just poped up five days ago: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3284/what-if-we-era...

Re: Let's Kill All the Mosquitoes

#10

Post by canistr » Wed, Apr 20, 2016, 5:47 PM UTC

Wouldn't mosquito predators effectively die off as well? Birds, larger bugs, bats, etc.