Numerous gene-drive versions are documented in the literature, but they all focus on reducing mosquito populations’ reproductive capabilities or rendering them sterile. Benefits as well as risksIn 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authorised the release of a genetically modified mosquito called OX5034 in counties in Florida and Texas. Genetically modified mosquitoes have been used in outdoor but controlled conditions in India, Brazil, and Panama as well. A timeless struggleIt is therefore not surprising that the genetic engineering of mosquitoes and trials involving genetically modified mosquitoes have faced multifaceted challenges in different parts of the world. Critics have expressed concerns about unintended consequences, such as unforeseen ecological disruptions or the potential for engineered genes to spread beyond target mosquito populations.

Source: The Hindu September 10, 2023 14:50 UTC