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It appears that the proper Federal authority has approved a trial of using said mosquitoes in an effort to battle disease-carrying mosquitoes. I am for it.
Briefly, these GM mosquitoes, when mating with a female, will cause the resultant eggs to not hatch.
In the linked article, one person, whom is against the proposal to carry out a trial in south Florida, pointed out that:
"The genetically modified male has to mate with a wild female, and the wild female has to bite us in order to lay eggs,” she said.“They are using us in this trial without consent,” she added.
Of course, this is true: in order to lay its eggs, the female must first feed on blood (the GM mosquitoes are all male, and males do not feed on blood, but nectar).
However, the women is, I feel, in error in her logic. Even without the trial people will be bitten (if that is the proper term) by female mosquitoes, which will then go on to lay the eggs.
My view: since one will be bitten anyway, why not try this experiment. Studies suggest that the introduction of the GM mosquitoes can result in a decrease in the mosquito population of up to 90 percent.
It is not like the Government is saying, "for this to work, we must have the people of south Florida allow themselves to be bitten".
However, the use of the words 'genetically modified' does cause a knee-jerk reaction in some people.
When I hear "Genetically Modified" I think of evolution. Why do you think there are so many different species of mosquito?
this experiment does not seem to have any human down side but will have a negative effect on all the creatures that eat mosquitoes. Do we even know what they are and what they might or might not do for humans? Suppose one of the mosquito eaters also are important pollinators for crops. If we kill the mosquitoes and the bug eaters die of starvation what will pollinate our crops.
This is a fine example of needing to know the secondary and tertiary effects of a major environmental change. Let us figure out the full effect of killing the mosquito populations before we actually do it.
When I hear "Genetically Modified" I think of evolution. Why do you think there are so many different species of mosquito?
this experiment does not seem to have any human down side but will have a negative effect on all the creatures that eat mosquitoes. Do we even know what they are and what they might or might not do for humans? Suppose one of the mosquito eaters also are important pollinators for crops. If we kill the mosquitoes and the bug eaters die of starvation what will pollinate our crops.
This is a fine example of needing to know the secondary and tertiary effects of a major environmental change. Let us figure out the full effect of killing the mosquito populations before we actually do it.
the mosquito species being targeted isn't native to FL.
One of the two species, Aedes aegypti, is the main culprit here concerning Zeka in Florida. The GM male mosquitoes at issue are the same species. It is also called the 'yellow fever' mosquito. As it names implies, it is, I believe, originally from Egypt.
Hence, no doubt the bats of Florida, and whatever native creatures of Florida depend on the consumption of mosquitoes, will fare quite well if the Aedes aegypti species is eradicated.
Personally I would like to see a vaccine for humans developed, that will kill any bloodsucking vermin to die If it feeds on us. Same for domestic animals. I loathe all blood sucking pests.
Nice, create a disease and health scare, then get rich selling the government the cure.
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