Swetlitz, I. (2018, September 5). Researchers to release first-ever genetically engineered mosquitoes in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.statnews.com/2018/09/05/release-genetically-engineered-mosquitoes-africa/

Researchers in Burkina Faso, Africa, are planning to release 10,000 genetically engineered mosquitos. The males have been genetically altered to be sterile. This is not expected to impact the spread of malaria or the mosquito population greatly, rather the researchers do this to ease the public and government into the idea of releasing genetically engineered mosquitos that will lessen the spread of malaria. So far, there are some people who are worried about genetically editing mosquitos, some villagers wondering if the sterile male mosquitoes “might somehow pass on that sterile status to humans.”

The release of genetically engineered animals is gaining support and materializing across the global scientific community. We may soon see genetic engineering being applied to curve the populations of certain animals, such as in this case with mosquitoes. Therefore, we are altering ecosystems by altering their populations. While it sounds like a great idea to eradicate mosquitoes because they spread malaria, this may have unanticipated consequences. However, the release of these genetically engineered mosquitoes in Africa shows that the global community is moving forward with the idea.