Genetically modified toxic semen could suppress troublesome insects
New ScientistDEC 23 2024
Researchers at Macquarie University have developed a new mosquito control method called the Toxic Male Technique (TMT), which involves genetically engineering male mosquitoes to produce venomous proteins in their semen.
According to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, the technique targets female mosquitoes specifically because they are the only sex of the species that bite and spread diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus.
Initial trials using fruit flies demonstrated a reduction in lifespan among the females who mated with modified males of between 37 and 64%, with researchers aiming to achieve similar results in mosquitoes.
While the approach offers advantages over existing methods like the sterile insect technique, mosquitoes are essential pollinators and an important food source for fish and bats. Eradicating the insects could have dangerous consequences, as broader ecosystem health directly impacts human health outcomes through complex environmental interactions.