Gentically Monitored Mosquitoes May Help Combat Dengue

A study in Malaysia, involving 2000 - 3000 mosquitoes has led the scientists towards a new direction in their struggle against Dengue. The gist is that genetically modified male Aedes will be released in the environment to interact with female Aedes species ( specifically responsible for dengue fever). The males would be modified such that their offsprings have a very short life and would quickly die soon after birth. Scientists hope to eradicate Dengue Fever by this technology. Environmentalists though have a concern against this technique as it has got some limitations." Once you release GM mosquitoes in environment you have no control and it can create more problems than solving them and these could then fail to prevent dengue", said Gurmit Singh, Head of center of Environment, Technology and Department.