Toxic Male Technique in Mosquito Control
The “toxic male technique” is a genetic engineering approach to combat mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Scientists propose genetically modifying male mosquitoes to produce toxic semen, which kills female mosquitoes after mating, thereby reducing disease vectors. Proof-of-concept trials with fruit flies demonstrated reduced female lifespan post-mating. This technique, which directly targets female mosquitoes, offers a more efficient alternative to traditional methods, such as releasing sterile males. Safety concerns, including risks to humans and non-target species, must be addressed through rigorous testing. Future research aims to optimise the method for mosquitoes and deploy it as a scalable pest management solution.
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