Episode 49: Mosquito Twitter

What happens when toxic males go out into the wild, propagate more toxic males, and kill every female progeny they produce? Well…Florida is working on finding out. That is, at least, with their mosquito population. Genetically Engineered mosquitoes, can they accomplish what the aliens in Lilo and Stitch worked so hard to prevent? Both kudos and my apologies for those of you who get that reference. What does it mean to have these creatures in the wild? Is it a concern and is it even the first time something like this has been done? Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we discuss the recent news that Florida has released genetically engineered mosquitoes into the wild.

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Waltz, E.; Oxitec Trials GM Sterile Moth to Combat Agricultural Infestations. Nature Biotechnology. 07-Aug-2015. 33 (792 – 793). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0815-792c

Fang, J.; Ecology: A World Without Mosquitoes. Nature. 21-Jul-2010. 466: (432 – 434) Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/466432a

Ploetz, R.; Panama Disease: An Old Nemesis Rears Its Ugly Head Part 1. The Beginning of the Banana Export Trade. Plant Management Network. 17-Oct-2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20180821194641/https://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Pages/PanamaDiseasePart1.aspx