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Marlene Carsen Lee

Mr. Andrew Rominger

Science 10.3

17 September 2019

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Despite their small and fragile stature, mosquitoes are commonly referred to as one of

the deadliest animals on the planet. With over 3000 different species, mosquitoes are

responsible for over one million deaths each year (SciShow, 2016). Needless to say, the war

between humans and mosquitoes, is far from over. Thus, it does not come as a surprise that

people have attempted to exterminate mosquitoes in the past before. However, the substances

normally used to liquidate mosquitoes have proven to be very dangerous for the environment.

One famous example, is of a pesticide named Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane, also

referred to as DDT. DDT has proven to be highly toxic for a wide variety of insects,

especially towards mosquitoes and lice (BusinessDictionary). Thus, the main purpose behind

using DDT has changed over the years and is now primarily used as a pesticide to control

mosquitoes and their many kinds of illnesses. However, not all mosquitoes are responsible

for the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. Only a few types of mosquitoes are dangerous to

humans. One example of a medically significant mosquito is one referred to as the Aedes

Aegypti, which is responsible for deadly illnesses such as dengue, zika, and yellow fever

(SciShow, 2016). Therefore, DDT was used to eradicate mosquitoes like the Aedes Aegypti

during an outbreak of malaria. Unfortunately, due to the toxicity of the chemicals in DDT, it

ended up killing other insects that were beneficial to the environment and its wildlife

(Mosquito Magnet). A number of animals have suffered from the side effects of using DDT,

especially animals such as birds and fishes. The population of these animals plummeted ever

since the use of DDT began, for the chemicals in DDT cause the thinning of eggshells, killing
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their embryos (Bienkowski, 2014). Additionally, DDT is a non-biodegradable chemical

substance which undergoes bioaccumulation. Thus, posing as a great long-term threat when

exposed to water and aquatic life (Enotes). Therefore, the aim of this essay is to determine

the extent of which the use of genetically modified mosquitoes is an environmentally viable

method of reducing mosquito borne illnesses compared to the use of conventional mosquito

control methods.

Since 2002, scientists in a biotech lab called the Oxitec, have begun to genetically modify

Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes to help find a solution to this recent outbreak of mosquito-borne

illnesses. “The goal of this procedure here at Oxitec is to use our mosquito, OX513A, to

reduce the population numbers of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito in the wild,” (Biointeractive,

2016). Firstly, the DNA which will then be inserted into the mosquito, must first be

synthesized. In this case, the two genes being used to genetically modify mosquitoes are

called the lethality gene and the fluorescent marker gene. The lethality gene is responsible for

making the new genetically modified mosquito dependent on an antibiotic called tetracycline,

which can only be found in the lab. On the other hand, the fluorescent marker gene is

responsible for producing a protein in the mosquito that enables them to glow red when

exposed to light of a certain wavelength. This way, scientists will be able to identify the

mosquitoes which have obtained the lethality gene. The genes are inserted in the genomes of

the mosquito eggs. After the first few genetically modified mosquitoes reach adulthood, they

are then bred and kept in the lab. These mosquitoes then pass down the genetic modification

to their offspring, creating a colony of genetically modified mosquitoes which only feed off

of tetracycline. The genetically modified female mosquitoes are then kept in cages where

they lay hundreds of their eggs. The eggs are then collected and placed in water, where they

hatch and grow into pupae. Then, lab technicians begin to separate the female pupae, which

are significantly bigger than the male pupae, into a different container. After the male pupae
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have grown into adult mosquitoes, they are then released into the wild. Male mosquitoes do

not bite, so they will not spread any illnesses. The genetically modified male Aeges Aegypti

carries two copies of the genetic modification. Thus, after copulating with a wild female

mosquito, the offspring will also inherit a copy of the lethality gene. However, tetracycline is

only available in the lab. Therefore, the offspring will die before it is able to reach maturity,

decreasing the overall population of the Aedes Aegypti (Biointeractive, 2016).

However, there are certain environmental implications, both positive and negative, to

the making of genetically modified mosquitoes. An example of a positive implication

genetically modified mosquitoes have towards the environment, is how a specific type of

mosquito can now be targeted instead of having to kill other beneficial insects that are not

medically significant. Not all mosquitoes are dangerous to humans. Only a number of species

of mosquitoes, like the Aedes Aegypti, are capable of spreading mosquito-borne illnesses.

Most mosquitoes are important pollinators for various plants (Bates, 2016). Therefore, the

only mosquitoes being genetically modified, is the Aedes Aegypti. Meanwhile, it is

impossible to target a specific species of mosquitoes to kill, when using pesticides. For

instance, when DDT was primarily used in the past to exterminate problematic mosquitoes,

other harmless mosquitoes of various different species which have been proven to be

beneficial towards the environment, also ended up getting killed (Mosquito Magnet). Thus,

negatively affecting the environment and its quality. On the other hand, an example of a

negative environmental implication caused by genetically modified mosquitoes is how the

Aedes Aegypti is an important pollinater to an orchid, called the Platanthera Obtusata

(Lahondere, BioRxiv). After the genetically modified mosquitoes had been released into the

wild, Oxitec reported that 96% of the Aedes Aegypti population had been reduced in the area

they were released. Thus, genetically modified mosquitoes have proven to be highly

effective. However, the extinction of the Aedes Aegypti could also lead to the extinction of
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the Platanthera Obtusata orchid, for the orchid relies on the Aedes Aegypti for reproduction.

Therefore, posing as a negative environmental implication towards the environment.

Based off of the evaluation of the collected evidence above, the making of genetically

modified mosquitoes should be continued. As stated before, the Aedes Aegypti is responsible

for deadly diseases such as zika, dengue, and yellow fever, which are responsible for over

hundreds of thousands of deaths per year (World Health Organization). Thus, a solution is

very much needed to help end this current outbreak of mosquito-borne illnesses. In terms of

effectivity, genetically modified mosquitoes have just as much to offer as pesticides do.

However, genetically modified mosquitoes are considered to be more of a desirable option,

for they are able to exterminate deadly mosquitoes, such as the Aedes Aegypti, without

having to harm the environment. Meanwhile, chemicals such as DDT, threatens the lives of

certain animals and plants. When pesticides are used, other harmless mosquitoes who play

important roles in pollinating certain flowers, also get killed during the process. Most

mosquitoes also play a significant role in the food chain. Thus, increasing the risk of

extinction for certain birds and bats who rely on mosquitoes as their food source (Bates,

2016). Therefore, the making of genetically modified mosquitoes should continue, for it

serves as a solution for both the environment and humanity.

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Works Cited

Bates, Claire. “Would It Be Wrong to Eradicate Mosquitoes?” BBC News, BBC, 28 Jan.

2016, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35408835

Bienkowski, Brian. “DDT Still Killing Birds in Michigan.” Scientific American, 28 July

2014, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ddt-still-killing-birds-in-michigan/.

Biointeractive, director. Genetically Modified Mosquitoes. YouTube, YouTube, 14 Nov.

2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlSTGkDyEfM.

“GMO Mosquitoes: What You Need to Know.” Mosquito Magnet,

http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/articles/gmo-mosquitoes.

“How did DDT Affect fish and bird populations?” Enotes,

https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-did-ddt-effect-fish-population-and-

bird-203709.

Lahondere, Chloe. “The Olfactory Basis of Orchid Pollination by Mosquitoes.” BioRxiv.

“Mosquito-Borne Diseases.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization,

17 Oct. 2016, https://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/vector_ecology/mosquito-

borne-diseases/en/.

SciShow, director. What If We Killed All the Mosquitoes? YouTube, YouTube, 19 Feb. 2016,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0NT9i4Qnak&t=68s.

“What Is Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT)? Definition and Meaning.”

BusinessDictionary.com, http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/dichloro-

diphenyl-trichloroethane-DDT.html.