Mutant mosquitoes and population drop...

A swarm of genetically modified mosquitoes are unleashed in a remote island as part of a scientific experiment... Does it sounds like the plot of a B grade Hollywood movie, probably titled "Attack of Mutant Mosquitoes"? No. This is a real incident. In Cayman islands, scientists released batches of mutant mosquitoes, all male, with the noble intent of wiping out Dengue fever totally. This mosquitoes, that are sterile mates with the female ones, and no off springs are produced, thereby creating a decrease in the mosquito population. The experiment is highly successful as there was a down of 80% in the number of mosquitoes in the region compared to other places where mutant male mosquitoes are never unleashed. But anti genetic mutation campaigners allege that no study of the long term impact on eco system is conducted before this experiment.

But I don't think this is a brand new strategy to deal with such issues. Whatever the west brings up as a new scientific leap is already practiced and perfected in India long back itself. Remember Zero, value of pi, stainless steel, concept of solar system, atom and the art of bribing policemen? Decades back in India a prime minister and her son has tried the method of sterilising men to control population... It took west three decades to catch up with us and that too with only mosquitoes... Such a shame..

The article responsible for the post.