Australia Unleashes Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes to Fight Deadly Diseases
In a groundbreaking move, Australia’s national science agency has teamed up with biotech company Oxitec to combat some of the world’s deadliest diseases spread by mosquitoes. The new venture, Oxitec Australia, aims to release genetically engineered male mosquitoes designed to reduce the population of disease-carrying females.
A New Hope Against Dengue and Zika
The initiative targets two notorious mosquito species: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, known for spreading dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever. These diseases pose significant threats, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting millions of people annually.
How It Works
Oxitec’s innovative approach involves genetically modifying male mosquitoes to carry a special gene. When these males mate with wild females, the gene triggers the production of a protein called tTAV in the offspring. This protein kills female mosquitoes—the ones that bite and spread diseases—while allowing males to survive and continue passing on the gene.
Tackling a Global Challenge
According to the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths worldwide each year. Dengue fever alone results in approximately 40,000 deaths annually.
Brett Sutton, director of Health and Biosecurity at Australia’s national science agency, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Factors like climate change and growing pesticide resistance mean we need new tools to protect people’s health,” he said. “This technology could transform how we manage pests that threaten our communities.”
Looking Ahead
Beyond targeting existing mosquito populations, Oxitec Australia is also developing solutions to prevent the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) to mainland Australia. This aggressive species, already present in the Torres Strait Islands, poses a significant invasion risk and is a known carrier of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses.
This bold step by Australia could pave the way for other countries battling mosquito-borne diseases, offering a new strategy in the fight to protect global health.
Reference(s):
New Australian venture to target deadly disease-spreading mosquitoes
cgtn.com
