When does science go to far to control diseases?

[Texashiker]

Article on Gizmag talking about genetically engineered mosquitoes that could "possibly" make a certain species of mosquito extinct.

The male mosquitoes have been genetically altered so that the female offspring do not have wings. The male offspring have wings so they can fly and reproduce. The gene is passed down through the offspring so the females of the resulting generations do not have wings. So far the test have been very effective in reducing mosquito populating in the test areas.

All of this is to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue fever.

http://www.gizmag.com/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-aegypti-mosquito/20668/

Its one thing to wipe out small pox, or to wipe out polio. But animals feed on mosquitoes, such as bats that eat mosquitoes and fish that feed on the mosquito larvae.

Just because we have the technology to wipe out a species to control a disease, does that mean we should?

What right do we have to exterminate a species to better ourselves? We are not talking about a bacteria or a virus, we are talking about something that is integrated in the food chain with other animals.

This is not an anti-vaccine thread.

 

[JSt0rm]

I came in here to yell at you but you bring up a good point. I don't know if it's correct or not to do this. What I would look at if I was studying such things is if the mosquito is imbalanced now and it has a far great proportion of biomass then it would normally without us.

 

[JTsyo]

I'm OK with this. I doubt there are animals that solely depend on mosquito for food so they should be able to adapt. I would love it if mosquitoes were extinct. It would be funny though if the wingless mosquito adapted to survive.

After reading the article I find this troublesome:

Luke Alphey, whose company Oxitec was originally hired by James to design the flightless female genetic modification, is so confident that these genetic warriors work, and that there will be no environmental ill effects, that he has taken advantage of the lack of regulation in many areas to conduct full scale field tests in the wild.

There should be some oversight on this.

 

[homercles337]

Its one thing to wipe out small pox, or to wipe out polio. But animals feed on mosquitoes, such as bats that eat mosquitoes and fish that feed on the mosquito larvae.

Just because we have the technology to wipe out a species to control a disease, does that mean we should?

What right do we have to exterminate a species to better ourselves? We are not talking about a bacteria or a virus, we are talking about something that is integrated in the food chain with other animals.

This is not an anti-vaccine thread.

Ignorance is the primary source of the right-wing criticism of science. They simply have no clue how science works, even the most basic aspects escape them. Its akin to a 5th grader criticizing recent findings in astrophysics. Then there is also the Dunning-Kruger Effect. As a scientist that has no training or experience in ecology or genetics, i can guarantee you that your "concerns" have been addressed. All professional scientists (phd required) are a hell of a lot smarter than the average American idiot (ie, you).

 

[Texashiker]

All professional scientists (phd required) are a hell of a lot smarter than the average American idiot (ie, you).

Your comments are a little harsh, dont you think?

I can point to a long list of events that scientist said would be ok, and have since caused serious environmental issues.

When was the last time you took an invasive species class in your area? Go to such a class sometime, you might learn something.

No part of nature is an island. The way things work are so integral, sometimes we do not even know about it until its too late.

 

[WelshBloke]

We wipe out plenty of species as it is.

At least theres a good reason for this one.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Article on Gizmag talking about genetically engineered mosquitoes that could "possibly" make a certain species of mosquito extinct.

The male mosquitoes have been genetically altered so that the female offspring do not have wings. The male offspring have wings so they can fly and reproduce. The gene is passed down through the offspring so the females of the resulting generations do not have wings. So far the test have been very effective in reducing mosquito populating in the test areas.

All of this is to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue fever.

http://www.gizmag.com/genetically-modified-mosquitoes-aegypti-mosquito/20668/

Its one thing to wipe out small pox, or to wipe out polio. But animals feed on mosquitoes, such as bats that eat mosquitoes and fish that feed on the mosquito larvae.

Just because we have the technology to wipe out a species to control a disease, does that mean we should?

What right do we have to exterminate a species to better ourselves? We are not talking about a bacteria or a virus, we are talking about something that is integrated in the food chain with other animals.

This is not an anti-vaccine thread.

I can tell you've never experienced any mosquito borne disease such as malaria, west Nile virus, or dengue fever. I've experienced the later and it's no fun, high fever (104 F +), extreme joint pain and swollen joints throughout the body.

I fully support this practice and hope it expands to the mosquitoes that carry malaria, west Nile virus, or dengue fever.

 

[Kadarin]

I think the world would be a better place if mosquitoes were eradicated from it. The rest of the biosphere would adapt just fine.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Lol at the absolute certainty.

 

[Balt]

Unless mosquitoes are some integral part of the ecosystem that I'm unaware of, I'd be fine with them being completely eradicated.

 

[Howard]

Yes, mosquitoes can go to hell and consequences be damned.