Genetically engineered mosquitoes are being suggested to fight mosquito borne diseases. How will such mosquitoes help in fight against Dengue and Malaria?

a) The GM mosquitoes will predate on mosquitoes that carry the disease

b) The GM mosquitoes will procreate with existing mosquitoes and produce off-springs that cannot mature

c) The GM mosquitoes will slowly increase in population replacing normal mosquitoes.

d) The GM mosquitoes’ blood will be used to develop vaccines for Dengue and Malaria

Ans – [B]

Genetically modified mosquitoes work with the single goal of reducing the total number of mosquitoes , who act as carriers of the disease. GM Mosquitoes procreate with the existing mosquito population such that the progeny is incapable of maturing or further reproduction.

In India one company Gangabishan Bhikulal Investment and Trading Ltd. (GBIT), a sister company of the Maharashtra Hybrid Company (Mahyco) that first brought Bt cotton to India, has been breeding genetically modified male mosquitoes(Aedes aegypti) to combat Zika virus.

Genetical modification is modification of the genome of the organism using Genetic engineering techniques. This has long been the practice to breed select individuals of a species in order to produce offspring that have desirable traits.

Malaria is one of the most deadly diseases in the world, killing 500,000 people annually and sickening hundreds of millions. It is caused by Anopheles mosquito.

Dengue caused by Aedes aegypti gives a fever which is so excruciating that it is often called the “bone breaker,” causing severe pain in the joints and abdomen along with vomiting, and circulatory system failure.