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GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

bbc.co.uk

41–50 of 160 posts

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#41

Predictable negativity from the comments here ignores that over one million people die of malaria per year. Not using what we can against something this horrible is a choice, too. And one that has the greater of consequences. It's easy to poke holes in things from the sidelines. That action is actively causing us to drag our feet and kill a lot of people. It should also be noted that mosquitoes are not depended on as…

It's worrying that you had to use a throwaway account to write this comment.

Something very bad is happening to the freedom of speech.

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#42
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have to take into account that with climate change the area where the mosquitoes live will probably be wider affecting more people so extending malaria to bigger populations. IMHO, can be wrong , that we have not made a lot against malaria because till now it affected only poor countries but from now on it will probably arrive to richer ones.

The rich countries drained their swamps to end malaria starting in the 19th century. It was one of the first major public works projects.

[deleted]

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#43
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd much prefer the (theoretical) gene drive. Bad outcomes for gene drive are either that it doesn't work, or the mosquitoes go extinct in nature and cause more ecological issues by their absence. The worst problem is fixable by keeping live specimens for reintroduction. In fact, since malaria is the target and not the mosquitoes, reintroduction might be a good idea after malaria becomes extinct. Bad outcomes for the…

The fungus doesn't affect other insects - this was part of the test. So the worst case is that it becomes uncontrollable and wipes out the mosquitoes.

They've given the fungus a powerful new weapon, so I would be concerned it could evolve to attack new hosts.

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#44
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd much prefer the (theoretical) gene drive. Bad outcomes for gene drive are either that it doesn't work, or the mosquitoes go extinct in nature and cause more ecological issues by their absence. The worst problem is fixable by keeping live specimens for reintroduction. In fact, since malaria is the target and not the mosquitoes, reintroduction might be a good idea after malaria becomes extinct. Bad outcomes for the…

The fungus doesn't affect other insects - this was part of the test. So the worst case is that it becomes uncontrollable and wipes out the mosquitoes.

It can mutate

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#45
People do not take issue with doing something against malaria but with the proposed method.

How could it be stopped if something went wrong? It's not like a chemical agent that you just stop applying when you notice adverse effects. This is a living thing. Living things can procreate, mutate, enter new niches and the only deciding factor is the rate of reproduction. Life doesn't optimize for killing malaria-carrying mosquitoes, it optimizes for rate of reproduction and survival. As soon as there is a mutation that can extend the niche to another target, this will happen. And getting such a match doesn't have to be via a mutation on the fungus either, it can also be one of the target, making it susceptible to it.

How do you make sure these things don't happen? I'm worried that the answer is that you can't.

(Edit: I'm not even talking about engineered organisms, just have a look at a list of invasive species)

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#46
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd much prefer the (theoretical) gene drive. Bad outcomes for gene drive are either that it doesn't work, or the mosquitoes go extinct in nature and cause more ecological issues by their absence. The worst problem is fixable by keeping live specimens for reintroduction. In fact, since malaria is the target and not the mosquitoes, reintroduction might be a good idea after malaria becomes extinct. Bad outcomes for the…

The fungus doesn't affect other insects - this was part of the test. So the worst case is that it becomes uncontrollable and wipes out the mosquitoes.

I was justifying my preference for the gene drive compared with the fungus. The fungus has potential to evolve independently to do different things, the gene drive does not. QED.

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#47
If this works, GMO seem interesting but fraught with all sorts of unknowns. Why can't a similar effort that cleared malaria from the American South after WW2 be applied again, but on a larger scale (sans horrible insecticides)? https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/history/elimination_us.htm...

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#48
Do you know why 99,99% of the extant spiders are harmless to humans?

1) Because many spiders (but not all) are evolved to target insect methabolism instead mammal methabolism

2) Because spiders aren't bees. The majority are solitary and small, have a limited body size and can just inject a single tiny dose of its extra-potent poisons.

3) and their tiny chelicers are too small and weak to pierce the human skin until reaching a layer with circulatory system so the poison is stopped by the stratum corneum of dead cells in epidermis and other upper layers of skin

Now lets suppose that a spider could grow indefinitely and make an unlimited amount of poison, like a fungus

And lets suppose that spider poison could be breathed directly and pass from lungs to blood wessels, and acumulated all day like fungus spores entering in your nose

What could happen? shalalala

Maybe nothing

or maybe any insect of any species would be poisoned eventually in presence of spores. They take air directly. Result: collapse of agriculture by simultaneous decrease of suitable pollinators at all levels

or maybe humans would have a new type of allergy, part allergy part nervous poisoning.

People tired of breathing poison all day after a strong rain? People now allergic to a previously harmless and widespread fungus present everywhere?, in its modified and wild forms?

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#49
post #39
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The rich countries drained their swamps to end malaria starting in the 19th century. It was one of the first major public works projects.

What exactly is stopping 3rd world countries from doing that?

Third world countries have already financed the draining of European swamps. It’s the wealth stolen in Asia, Africa and America that made those public works projects possible in the first place.

The reason former colonies haven’t been able to do the same at home is because their society and economy are permanently crippled by colonization.

Re: GM fungus can rapidly kill mosquitoes that spread malaria, study suggests

#50
post #48

Do you know why 99,99% of the extant spiders are harmless to humans? 1) Because many spiders (but not all) are evolved to target insect methabolism instead mammal methabolism 2) Because spiders aren't bees. The majority are solitary and small, have a limited body size and can just inject a single tiny dose of its extra-potent poisons. 3) and their tiny chelicers are too small and weak to pierce the human skin until r…

Of course having 3000 species of spiders to choose they needed to play with the cool funnel-web spider. One of the most deadly spiders for humans. Wise choice.

Atracotoxins. Stuff extremely toxic for a particular kind of animal: primates, causing pulmonary and cerebral edema in humans.

Fortunately for mosquitoes, atracotoxins are relatively weak as insect killer. Big spiders rely in their fangs to subdue the prey. My congratulations for the people that so carefully designed this experiment.

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