Is this comparable to what is explained in this kurzgesagt video? https://youtu.be/TnzcwTyr6cE
No, this does not involve gene drives. The mosquitos used here have to be released repeatedly to keep the natural populations down.
750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
101–110 of 159 posts
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#102The stupidity of smart people never ceases to amaze.
Tragically there have been so many instances over the years I've come to the conclusion it's part of the Human condition - even a good education doesn't eradicate it (although it helps).
Take the classic example, just look at how completely bonkers millions of intelligent Germans went during the 1930s.
The condition I'm afraid is incurable. What's even worse is that it seems that under the right circumstances anyone can catch it.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#103Presumably all the bleeding hearts who've objected have never had malaria nor have they ever seen anyone in the throwes of suffering from it. Mosquitoes are the number one killer worldwide. Can't these idiots realize that whilst there's risks that they're outweighed by the benefits. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mosquitoes-kill-mo... One of the tragedies of modern society is that the whingers and whiners…
>Can't these idiots realize that whilst there's risks that they're outweighed by the benefits.
Please list the extent of the risks and the impact so that we can weigh it up against the benefits. Make sure you remember every risk, no skipsies.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#104Whenever this comes up I always find it interesting that nobody comments on the now 60-year ongoing program that eradicated the screwworm fly from the US by doing pretty much the same thing: releasing millions of genetically altered (sterilized by radiation!) screwworms that mate with the native population. I have no comment on the positive or negative outcomes of the environmental modifications that both programs ca…
Could we do the same for ticks?
I can see a couple of problems...
Male ticks still bite, so they'd still cause problems. Although presumably lab ticks would be disease free.
A bigger issue is spread. Mosquitoes fly so you can do a release and they'll spread over a large area. Ticks walk. They can't travel as far. I suppose you could drop them from drones or a plane.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#105Whenever this comes up I always find it interesting that nobody comments on the now 60-year ongoing program that eradicated the screwworm fly from the US by doing pretty much the same thing: releasing millions of genetically altered (sterilized by radiation!) screwworms that mate with the native population. I have no comment on the positive or negative outcomes of the environmental modifications that both programs ca…
I briefly worked in a leading Biology lab as an undergrad - and this sort of work came up. Genetic modification considered alone is not scary. Gene drives designed for sterilization on the other hand - are. I was given a long explanation about how gene drives worked and was filled with mild existential terror at how easy it would be to replace "mosquito" with "human". I knew many biologists capable of performing thes…
"I was given a long explanation about how gene drives worked and was filled with mild existential terror at how easy it would be to replace "mosquito" with "human"."
You're right of course, and unfortunately sooner or later what you say will come to pass (tragically, I see it as inevitable).
My take is slightly different: as the technology is here now, and given that we cannot stop it (certainly not in the long term - as eventually the tech will get so easy that it'll done in backyard sheds), then it's better to run with something like this mosquito eradication which hopefully may do some good.
With luck - and we'll need lots of it - intelligent regulation may follow. Ban it outright and it'll definitely go underground. Backyard sheds will then become labs that are centers of research. Heaven knows where that would lead us.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#106Earlier quoted context omitted.
Could we do the same for ticks?
I can see a couple of problems... Male ticks still bite, so they'd still cause problems. Although presumably lab ticks would be disease free. A bigger issue is spread. Mosquitoes fly so you can do a release and they'll spread over a large area. Ticks walk. They can't travel as far. I suppose you could drop them from drones or a plane.
They'd cause problems for a few generations, until their population collapsed from a lack of females.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#107Presumably all the bleeding hearts who've objected have never had malaria nor have they ever seen anyone in the throwes of suffering from it. Mosquitoes are the number one killer worldwide. Can't these idiots realize that whilst there's risks that they're outweighed by the benefits. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mosquitoes-kill-mo... One of the tragedies of modern society is that the whingers and whiners…
>Can't these idiots realize that whilst there's risks that they're outweighed by the benefits. Please list the extent of the risks and the impact so that we can weigh it up against the benefits. Make sure you remember every risk, no skipsies.
Go and read my long extensive epistles on COVID-19 and the opioid epidemic and then you tell me what I've missed out.
Please list them all carefully (I'll then add then to the list.)
Incidentally, search HN and you'll find the list of relevant items available is almost inexhaustible.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#108Earlier quoted context omitted.
I briefly worked in a leading Biology lab as an undergrad - and this sort of work came up. Genetic modification considered alone is not scary. Gene drives designed for sterilization on the other hand - are. I was given a long explanation about how gene drives worked and was filled with mild existential terror at how easy it would be to replace "mosquito" with "human". I knew many biologists capable of performing thes…
"I was given a long explanation about how gene drives worked and was filled with mild existential terror at how easy it would be to replace "mosquito" with "human"." You're right of course, and unfortunately sooner or later what you say will come to pass (tragically, I see it as inevitable). My take is slightly different: as the technology is here now, and given that we cannot stop it (certainly not in the long term…
When this happens for humans, I predict that we would also see parallel development of tests which ensure that a potential mate does not have gene drives in their genome.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#109Just when you think that 2020 couldn't be more complicated... playing with floridian ecosystems and trophic chains at large scale.
If you really want to do this kind of experiments you need to assure that it happens in the context of an stable, responsible government. One able to take countermeasures quick if something fails, and able to deal with two biological emergencies at the same time. One that doesn't claim that will now follow scientific advice because "scientists are idiots and I know much better".
Such stable state could not happen until December.
Re: 750M genetically modified mosquitoes to be released in Florida
#110Earlier quoted context omitted.
One post-doc could release 750 million genetically altered humans and we'd be doomed.
I think @reedf1 is talking about the long term damage to a population. With the gene drive technology, the modified gene is always inherited. the 750 million number is there to speed up the process. (This my understanding from reading the first few paragraphs from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_drive )
Being always inherited, in humans, is no danger at all. Someone can develop a deactivation shot before the first generation to inherit the gene hits puberty.