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Podcasts Take Two
Could genetically engineered mosquitos stop the Zika virus?
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May 10, 2016
Listen • 9:25
Could genetically engineered mosquitos stop the Zika virus?
As the Zika virus continues to spread, scientists are looking to gene-editing technologies as a possible tool to fight the disease.
Photo taken in the lab. The mosquito was frozen, which is the secret to get a good pose.
Photo taken in the lab. The mosquito was frozen, which is the secret to get a good pose.
(
dgarkauskas via Flickr Creative Commons
)

As the Zika virus continues to spread, scientists are looking to gene-editing technologies as a possible tool to fight the disease.

As the Zika virus continues to spread, scientists are looking to gene-editing technologies as a possible tool to fight the disease.

Biologists have already engineered a modified species of mosquito that they hope will help stop the spread of malaria.

Now they're turning to the Aedes aegypti species which infects people with the Zika virus and dengue fever.

The prospect of engineering a mosquito that would eradicate the disease is promising, but not without concerns of possible unintended consequences.

Joining Take Two to discuss:

  • Dr. Anthony James, distinguished professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at UC Irvine

To listen to the full interview, click the blue player above.