Can Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Be Helpful in Eradicating Mosquito-borne Diseases?

A genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquito 

Mosquitoes have long been associated with other animals as life-threatening parasites. Although they are food for some animals such as dragonflies and damselflies, mosquitoes have been and continue to be a threat for most animals, including humans. As carriers of some of the most lethal diseases, including malaria, mosquitoes have been responsible for more human deaths throughout history than all the wars and famines combined. Despite the development in vaccination and general precautions against such diseases, mosquitoes, particularly those of the genus Anopheles, claim more than 400,000 lives every year. But recently, a brand-new experiment is being done that could change the ongoing battle against malaria. It is a new kind of genetic engineering that can quickly spread a self-destructive genetic modification through a complex species.

Plasmodium parasite; the main cause of malaria

The scientists involved in this project used an innovative gene-editing tool called CRISPR to create mosquitoes with a "gene drive," which quickly transferred a sterilizing mutation through other mosquito species. A report in Nature Biotechnology showed that nearly all regular mosquitoes were wiped out by the ones carrying the mutation in a high-security basement laboratory in London. The researchers are especially heartened because, unlike in most attempts to use gene drives, the modified mosquitoes did not seem to further mutate in a way that would belittle the effectiveness of the mutation. However, they underlined that several years of supplementary research are required to further analyze the effectiveness and safety of the approach before anyone tries to release these mosquitoes or any other organisms engineered this way into the wild. The researchers also recognized that the technology brings serious concerns, indicating that it will need an extensive political debate, meticulous regulation and the agreement of people living in any areas where the mosquitoes might be released.

Nnimmo Bassey, one of several activists opposed to the technology of using genetically modified mosquitoes against malaria.

Target Malaria, a program promoting the research, has already started comprehensive discussions with African countries where the mosquitoes could one day be released. Nonetheless, there is already strong opposition among some activists like Health of Mother Earth Foundation director Nnimmo Bassey, who stressed that Africa has become a "testing ground for a technology that no one can say is safe definitively." Others like biologist Ricarda Steinbrecher of ECONEXUS added that wiping out or greatly suppressing an entire malaria mosquito species could lead to other more questionable species coming in to fill a niche. Jim Thomas, co-executive director of an international technology watchdog organization ETC Group, voiced his concern that the gene drives could be used to develop new biological weapons. Andrea Crisanti, a molecular parasitology professor from the Imperial College London who led the research, rejected the approach that gene drives could be used to create biological weapons. Although he recognized the concerns, which have been considered by many scientific organizations, Professor Crisanti and others stressed that the possible advantages surpass the risks. The gene drive technology could also be used to significantly suppress other mosquito species, such as those that spread other life-threatening diseases like dengue and Zika. In addition, gene drives could also be used battle agricultural pests.

Standing water containing mosquito larvae

I find it extremely fascinating that a team of researchers have come up with a plan to battle mosquitoes carrying the malaria. Based on the experiments they conducted, they are hopeful that releasing genetically modified mosquitoes in countries known for malaria would change the game in the battle against the disease, especially when there are mosquitoes that are resistant to pesticides. However, I also believe that it is important to note that there is still a great need of supplementary research needed to further study the safety and effectiveness of this approach before these mutation-carrying mosquitoes are released. This is especially true considering the concerns addressed by people like Dr. Steinbrecher, who pointed out that suppressing mosquitoes carrying the malaria virus significantly could result in ecosystem crashes especially when other more problematic species fill the niche. In addition, if ordinary mosquitoes are destroyed by their genetically modified counterparts, what will happen to animals that prey on mosquitoes like dragonflies, damselflies, and mosquitofish? Will they be able to survive on the ones carrying the mutation? This is why it is highly essential to further study these genetically modified mosquitoes to prevent any possibility of an ecosystem crash. In the meantime, emphasis should continue to be placed on preventing and treating malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases through vaccination, elimination of standing water, setting up mosquito nets and window screens, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and applying insect repellents.

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Wildlife Conservation and Hunting Groups Need to Join Forces in Mitigating Human-Grizzly Bear Conflict

A grizzly bear at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in Montana

Recently, wildlife managers in the state of Wyoming have euthanized two grizzly bears suspected of killing an elk hunting guide and injuring his client near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The two bears, a mother and her cub, are being analyzed in connection with the mauling death of hunting guide Mark Uptain and injuring of his client Corey Chubon of Florida on Friday in the Terrace Mountain area. Wyoming Game and Fish Department spokeswoman Rebekah Fitzgerald believes that all possible evidence shows that the two bears were involved in the attack. Authorities stated that the bears attacked the two men when they field dressed an elk they had shot on Thursday and found it dead on Friday. Teton County officials added that the bears charged them "aggressively," but did not touch the elk. The incident occurred weeks after a federal judge briefly stopped Wyoming state officials' plan for a grizzly bear hunt this month. The hunt, which is currently on hold until October 1, was allowed to be initiated last year when the Trump administration removed the bears from the protection of the Endangered Species Act. The delay has infuriated hunters like Sy Gilliland, who feels that the hunt is required to control the increasing grizzly bear population living near people. While groups that protested the hunt mourned Uptain's death, they also added that life-threatening encounters between grizzly bears and people occur in September and October. These incidents happen when hunters actively move in the areas where the bears are foraging for food before winter hibernation. According to Melissa Thomasma of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, killing more bears will not only prevent other human-bear conflicts but also threaten the health of the grizzly population around Yellowstone.

Grizzly bear exploring its enclosure in the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

I really believe that it is a high time for hunting groups and wildlife conservation groups to join forces together in order to ensure the survival of the grizzly bear population around Yellowstone, including mitigating human-bear conflicts. Remaining hostile to each other based on beliefs will lead to further incidences of human-bear conflict with both bears and people, including hunters, perishing in each others' hands. I think hunting groups and its members should be thoroughly educated about the current state of the grizzly population. That is, just because the population expands beyond the borders of Yellowstone and Grand Teton does not mean that bears should be hunted. It is highly essential to thoroughly examine the grizzly bear population to see if it is "self-sustaining." Only then legal protections can be removed or not, depending on the results. In addition, hunters should refrain from hunting during the months of September and October when the bears are out foraging for winter hibernation. Or at least they should carry a bear spray, instead of resorting to firearms for protection. Without any partnership between wildlife conservation and hunting groups, the future for grizzly bears in the U.S will remain unknown.

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Wildlife Refuge in Colorado Needs to Be Thoroughly Inspected for Plutonium Content

One of the gates of Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge 

Situated sixteen miles northwest of Denver, Colorado, in an area comprised of more than 5,000 acres of wetlands, trees, and untouched rolling prairie, there is a place called Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. This wild place houses 239 of residential and migratory species, including the endangered Preble's meadow jumping mouse. Although it appears to be a haven for wildlife and an ideal place to enjoy nature and the outdoors, Rocky Flats has a shadowy past. Before becoming a wildlife refuge, Rocky Flats was once a location of a federal nuclear weapons facility during the Cold War period from 1952 to 1989. During that time, a small community stood inside the wildlife refuge where it created grapefruit-sized plutonium spheres known as "pits" which were used as triggers for U.S.A's thermonuclear weapons. The facility closed when the Cold War ended and the area underwent a more than $7 billion cleanup and demolition supervised by state and federal agencies. The cleanup ended in 2005, with the actual site of the old buildings staying fenced off forever, while the land that used to serve as an intermediary around Rocky Flats recently reopened. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicated that the soil in the buffer zone was tested and concluded as safe for "unlimited use and unrestricted exposure" more than ten years ago. However, there are some skeptics like Professor Tim Mousseau of University of South Carolina who believes that the soil still contains plutonium and that even the smallest and faint particles can be inhaled and embedded in the lungs. As a result, seven local school districts have halted field trips to the area and several lawsuits are seeking to keep the refuge closed off to the public. One of the attorneys involved is Tim Gablehouse, who is representing the neighboring town of Superior. He stated that the government has not conducted a complete environmental evaluation on what the side effects could be from activities like biking and hiking, and the threat of dust from the wildlife refuge being carried into wider linked trail systems and Superior itself.

Preble's meadow jumping mouse

I strictly believe that Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge needs to be reevaluated thoroughly for plutonium content in its soil. Even though the EPA has conducted an assessment of the soil and concluded it as safe more than a decade ago, it is highly crucial that scientists and researchers double check to ensure that the soil is plutonium-free. Plutonium is a radioactive chemical element and when it gets lodged in an organism's lungs, it often stays stuck inside the organism's entire life resulting in higher risk of cancer. In the case of Rocky Flats, people would be at risk of coming into contact with plutonium by engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. In addition, even a simple gust of wind could carry plutonium-contaminated dust into the air and affect anyone or anything in the way. This is why I strongly insist it is very crucial that the wildlife refuge should stay closed to the public until a thorough scientific investigation of plutonium content is carried out. Only then will the public know whether it is safe to enter the wildlife refuge or not. Without any accurate investigation and meticulous planning to eradicate plutonium from Rocky Flats, people's lives would inadvertently be at risk of cancer and other health hazards linked to radiation exposure.

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