Genetically Modified Mosquitoes | HHMI BioInteractive Video

Learn the process by which a line of genetically modified mosquitoes was engineered to reduce populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the wild.

Viruses like Dengue, chickungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus are spread by a species of mosquitoes called Aedes aegypti. To reduce the number of infections, health officials use various methods aimed at reducing mosquito populations. One of those methods is to produce genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that, when released into the wild, reproduce with wild mosquitoes and cause their offspring to die. How is this accomplished? In this video, one of the scientists with the company Oxitec explains how they engineered mosquitoes to carry a “lethality” gene that prevents mosquito larvae from growing into adults unless they are fed the antibiotic tetracycline. The genetically modified mosquitoes were first produced in 2002 and bred in the lab to give rise to a colony of mosquitoes all dependent on tetracycline. This antibiotic—the antidote to the lethality gene—is available to the mosquitoes in the lab, but not in the wild. In 2015, male mosquitoes from this genetically modified colony were released in some areas of Brazil to help stop the spread of Zika virus.

[jameskelly]

Imagine breaking into that van and just finding a bunch of cases of mosquitoes

[keenantherush]

If we can make mosquitos live shorter

Why can't we make dogs live longer

[Pump-King]

Imagine airing out your house just to have a white van drive by and drop of a bucket of mosquitos right in front of your house

[Kv]

It’s been 3 years. Would love an update.

[whatever]

2:57 😮 *Did a Mosquito Just Escaped in Front of Camera??*

[nanallen]

Something has gone awry. Here in the San Fernando Valley ( Northern L.A.) we have had NO rain for 6 months and no mosquitos for years. But 2 weeks ago, suddenly there were swarms of biting Aedes species. Everyone in every house in our neighborhood has multiple bites. Same story in Fullerton, Newbury Park, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth distant locations. People remember the exact day they arrived. These mosquitos travel only 650 feet from hatching area. So, the vector patterns are inconsistent with observation. WHO released millions of Aedes females?

[signature.]

I think we can go ahead and state the obvious that this plan backfired, I am literally being eaten alive watching this video, and writing this comment!

[carolynkielma]

this is AMAZING. I cannot wait to show my biotechnical engineering students this tomorrow!

[sueliexperienciasnarradas]

This project was a complete failure in Brazil. This past February we had millions of the most furious and agressive mosquitoes ever in the areas where oxitec released it in the past. It became a disaster and it didnt eliminate the mosquitoes. I live in Brazil 40 minutes from the failed OXITEX lab.

[thatmango]

0:54 I thought there was one in my room

[mahrukhjavaid]

Can i get the references article or this study plz

[roseguber]

Well, it did not work; 2018, and they are getting worse...all over the world

[CarolinianBlades]

Who else saw the clusters of mosquitoes and wanted to pimp slap them?

[VideoJunkee]

Genetically modified mosquitoes…
What could possibly go wrong?!?

[donpettyandthespacefakers]

whatever these people do you can count on the fact it is not for the greater good of the human race i don’t know wtf is going with these things but i can pretty much guarantee it ain’t good

[Efeste.ban.]

The mosquito noises irk me so bad I couldn’t even finish the dang video

[heartcomedy]

So how’s it doing now you might ask...well Oxitec is going to release these male mosquitoes in Florida this year and Texas next year, however Environmentalists have their sounds and worries about how this might effect the entire ecosystem of animals and insects.

[MrAlessio]

I just witnessed millions of mosquitos falling out of the sky, I ran to my car and had about 30 on me, my whole car was covered, I think there coming from the chemtrail clouds, I never seen so many in my 52 years

[y_p]

These guys are angels, thank god they exist

[brada]

Wild Mosquitoes would preferred wild Mosquitoes!