Breeding Wingless Mosquitoes to Battle Dengue

“Controlling the mosquito that transmits this virus could significantly reduce human morbidity and mortality.” — Anthony James

Scientists from the U.S. and Britain are genetically altering mosquitoes so they cannot fly in a groundbreaking effort to combat the insect’s ability to spread dengue fever.

Since there is no vaccine or effective treatment for dengue, the researchers say introducing a gene that breeds flightless Aedes aegypti females is the most effective way to combat the disease.

Writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Anthony James of the University of California, Irvine, says when the genetically modified male mosquitoes mate, they create female offspring that inherit a gene that limits wing growth, eliminating their ability to fly.

As the flightless females eventually die, the surviving male offspring would continue to breed more lame females through future generations.

The researchers say the technique is safe and an efficient alternative to using harmful insecticides.

The World Health Organization says approximately 2.5 billion people, two fifths of the world's population, are now at risk from dengue.

The U.N. agency estimates that there may be 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year.

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