Genetic Modification Uses Mosquito Semen as a Tool for Population Control

Mosquitoes in Australia attempting to mate are in for a rough time, as genetic modifications are making their semen toxic. This is part of a new mosquito population control strategy being tested by Macquarie University researchers, aiming to reduce the spread of diseases transmitted by these insects. Talk about extreme measures, right?

The method, known as the ‘Toxic Male Technique (TMT),‘ involves genetically modifying male mosquitoes to produce venom proteins in their semen. The goal is to kill the female mosquitoes—who are responsible for biting and feeding on blood—shortly after mating.

The Toxic Male Technique (TMT) could eliminate the need for insecticide sprays while specifically targeting harmful disease-carrying mosquito species. Researchers are focusing on species that spread diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

Alternative Mosquito Population Control Methods

Other methods, such as the Sterile Insect Technique and the release of genetically modified mosquitoes carrying lethal genes (RIDL), have been attempted to control mosquito populations. These methods involve releasing sterilized or genetically altered males to mate with females, resulting in no offspring or offspring that die soon after birth.

However, these methods fail to address the existing generation of mosquitoes, which can continue to spread diseases. Female mosquitoes, for example, can live and feed for several weeks.

TMT, on the other hand, targets the current generation of harmful female mosquitoes, preventing them from biting people right after mating. It is a precise approach, ensuring that beneficial species aren’t harmed, including those that feed on mosquitoes. This method is particularly valuable as mosquito resistance to pesticides increases, making it harder to control their ability to spread disease globally.

Sam Beach Discusses Potential Impact of the Method

Sam Beach, the lead author of the paper published in Nature, told The Guardian that this method could significantly reduce the spread of disease if successful. “With this approach, we can immediately decrease the female mosquito population and hopefully see a rapid decline in the spread of these vector-borne illnesses,” he explained.

So, where do things stand? The research team hasn’t yet tested this method on mosquitoes, but TMT trials on fruit flies showed a 37–64% reduction in the lifespan of females compared to those mated with unmodified males.

Using computer models, the team predicts that applying TMT to a mosquito species responsible for transmitting dengue and Zika could reduce blood-feeding rates by 40 to 60%.

Such a reduction could greatly help limit the spread of these diseases. In 2023, the World Health Organization reported 263 million malaria cases worldwide, while the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control noted 14 million cases of dengue.

“We still need to implement it in mosquitoes and conduct thorough safety testing to ensure no risks to humans or other non-target species,” said Maciej Maselko, associate professor at Macquarie University, whose lab led the proof-of-concept study.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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