Genetic sex change for mosquitoes could stop the spread of Zika

Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are disease carriers. Inserting male genes into mosquitoes using Crispr-Cas9 could be a new way to prevent epidemicsTwo US scientists have proposed a new answer to the Zika epidemic: a sex-change operation for the mosquito that spreads the virus and other diseases. This genetic modification would turn deadly, blood-drinking females into harmless, nectar-sipping males.The solution could potentially be used to limit not just Zika but malaria, dengue, yellow fever and other mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya. However, the researchers accept there is a long way to go before the technique could be used in the field. Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 17, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Tim Radford Tags: Science Zika virus Genetics Biology World news Source Type: news