Jurassic Park? Genetically modified mosquitoes released in test

Scientists working to stop dengue fever, have released genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild with the hopes of eradicating the disease on Grand Cayman Island.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to a study published yesterday in the journal Nature Biotechnology, approximately 19,000 genetically modified insects were released on 25 acres of land on the island in 2009. Subsequent evaluation showed that genetically modified mosquitoes now make up 16 percent of the population. Approximately 10 percent of the larvae are carrying the modified genes.

The mosquitoes had their genes altered so they would be less successful in mating, and their offspring would be more likely to die. Scientists are hopeful that if enough genetically modified mosquitoes are released into an area, they can breed out disease carrying mosquitoes, and reduce the population.

In part, the study was conducted to determine how many genetically modified mosquitoes would likely be needed to suppress a population.

Dengue fever affects about 100 million people worldwide each year. It is considered by the WHO to be one of the most medically significant viruses carried by mosquitoes. Additionally, there is no vaccine against the virus. Scientists believe that by targeting its vectors (mosquitoes) that they can help to manage the outbreak and spread of the disease.

The use of genetically altered mosquitoes has been a controversial one. Some scientists warn that destroying the mosquito population could have unforeseen consequences including the creation of a niche that will be filled by other insects. Because it is impossible to determine what effect that mosquito eradication will have on the environment, it cannot be conclusively stated whether or not the impact of eradication could be worse than suffering with the mosquitoes. If such a scenario is played out, it is likely that scientists would have little control over the results.

There's no reason however to fear a Jurassic Park scenario.

It is unlikely that the genetically modified mosquitoes will continue to live for much longer, since the genetic mutation programmed into them causes them to die, and usually during the larval stage.  As a result of this, scientists expect that the pressures of natural selection will cause all of the genetically altered mosquitoes to go extinct in the years to come.

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