Comments on: Selfish, Jumping Genes Might Stop Mosquitoes From Spreading Malaria

By: Ganzjahresreifen

Ganzjahresreifen — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:31:17 +0000

Allwetterreifen

By: Paul Agamegwa

Paul Agamegwa — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:36:58 +0000

Although I’m not scared I actually agree with Naveed.What if there was a flop and super mosquitoes were created?This is a really sensitive research which should be carried out with utmost care!BE CAREFUL GUYS!Good luck.

By: fatkid

fatkid — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 05:05:37 +0000

Oh yeah, this will end badly. I keep hearing Glum from Gullivers travels on the Banana Splits..”We’re doomed!” Andrew needn’t worry, even if this does save lives initially, we’ll ultimately be doing the planet a favor by pushing ourselves over the brink sooner.

Mosquitos have already been genetically altered and released by governments against scientific advice. I can’t imagine gettting doctored genes into my bloodstream along with the slew of other altered dna from these Frankenbugs.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:27:01 +0000

Great as if the world isnt already over populated as is. I wonder what the world would look like if even half of the death causing diseases were eradicated, our earth would be eaten alive by us the human leeches.

By: James Anderson Merritt

James Anderson Merritt — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:47:39 +0000

@John Lerch: I agree. How to ensure that this “selfish gene” will stay put in Mosquitoes, and what might happen if (when?) it does not? This development bears close scrutiny.

Perhaps it might be better to find a genetic poison that targets the malaria parasite (without being harmful to humans or other higher life forms), and then vaccinate both people and mosquitoes with it.

I guess we will see what we will see. Good luck to researchers in achieving their goals without undesirable, unintended consequences.

By: Naveed

Naveed — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:54:03 +0000

Ahh, I hope they don’t accidentally create super mosquitoes!

By: John Lerch

John Lerch — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:57:42 +0000

I don’t see this being allowed into the wild ever. The threat that mutations would eventually transmit this gene into the ENTIRE BIOSPHERE seems certain.

By: Matt B.

Matt B. — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:44:01 +0000

I have to worry that the glowing mosquitos were simply sexually selected against. But if not, this is great progress.

Ooh, neat sci-fi idea, Miles.

By: Miles McCullough

Miles McCullough — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:28:54 +0000

So will we be getting immunized by wild mosquitoes anytime soon? That sounds eerily close to a science fiction story where aliens are subtly influencing human events by adjusting insect behavior or something O.o

And will this harnessing of parasites to spread genes be used to spread cancer-fighting or anti-aging genes throughout our bodies any time soon? That would be wicked cool.