Malaysia Releases Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Blessed_by_the_Cow writes "Apparently, Malaysian scientists have released 6,000 genetically modified male mosquitoes into the the wild. These bloodsuckers have been altered to have shorter lifespans. The basic idea behind it is to help slow down the spread of Dengue fever by killing off the mosquitoes faster."

Comments

Correction for the Summary

[eldavojohn]

These bloodsuckers have been altered to have shorter lifespans.

Actually the modified Aedes aegypti in question are not bloodsuckers. From the AFP article:

In the first experiment of its kind in Asia, about 6,000 male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were released ...

Like Homo sapiens, only the females drain the life out of their victims. The male Aedes aegypti only feed on plant juices (but I'm guessing pass the short lifespan trait on more effectively).

Moderators, ball's in your court.

Re:Correction for the Summary

[Anonymous Coward]

Fortunately, mosquitoes don't have bank accounts.

Frickin' Lasers.

[nametaken]

Well sure, this is clever and all... but I still prefer the shock-and-awe approach to mosquito control:

http://www.ted.com/talks/nathan_myhrvold_could_this_laser_zap_malaria.html

You can just f-fwd to the 12m mark for the craziness.

Re:How will they compete?

[Locke2005]

They were bred for really short life spans and really big penises. Plus, the scientists supplied each one of them with a tiny red Ferrari!