Biotech plans to release lab-grown mosquitoes to kill wild ones
Kentucky bio firm MosquitoMate has been granted approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency to release laboratory-grown mosquitoes into the wild. The firm hopes that the synthetic mosquitoes will help reduce the wild population. MosquitoMate has deliberately infected its insects with the Wolbachia pipientis bacterium, which prevents the hatching of larvae, but does not affect humans or animals. The mosquitoes are due to be released in Kentucky and several US states.

Share this article via flipboard

Share this article via sms

Share this article via email

Share this with

Share this article via messenger

Share this article via whatsapp



Credit: Getty

It sounds like a classic ‘mad scientist’ plot, the sort that usually goes badly wrong – releasing diseased ‘lab grown’ mosquitoes to kill off wild ones.

Army corporal who raped female soldier said condom made it 'fine'

In fact, we’re verging on ‘There was an old woman who swallowed a fly’ territory here.

But there’s method to the madness, CNET reports.

The lab-grown mozzies will be deliberately infected with the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis, which affects the insects (but not animals or humans).

The lab-grown (male) bugs unleashed by biotech firm MosquitoMate have been approved by America’s Environmental Protection Agency.

The mosquito

When the male mosquitoes released by MosquitoMate mate with female mosquitoes, the eggs don’t hatch due to the effects of the bacteria – cutting the population.

Mosquitomate is to release insects in several American states, starting with Kentucky where it’s based.

The company’s FAQ says, ‘Unlike traditional mosquito control, we don’t show up after you have a problem.

‘By acting proactively, your population of Asian Tiger mosquitoes will not reach a nuisance level.’