Video Transcript
The use of genetically modified
mosquitoes to reduce local populations of mosquitoes raises concerns around safety
and ethics. Which of the following statements
presents a disadvantage of genetically modified mosquitoes? (A) The genetically modified
mosquitoes will not be able to reproduce at all, and this will eventually wipe out
entire populations of mosquitoes from food chains. (B) Millions of lives could be
saved since mosquitoes transmit a number of fatal diseases, such as malaria. (C) Using genetically modified
mosquitoes will reduce the need for insecticides.
Mosquitoes are vectors for many
harmful, infectious diseases. There are advantages and
disadvantage to the use of genetic modification as a way to reduce mosquito
populations.
Mosquitoes can be genetically
modified to control their populations in different ways. One way is to insert a gene that
kills the offspring. This way, the population of
mosquitoes decreases until they’re eventually wiped out.
A big advantage of this would be
the number of lives saved by reducing the spread of disease. Millions could be saved if
mosquitoes were genetically modified in this way, because they transmit numerous
fatal diseases, including malaria. So, answer choice (B) indicates an
advantage of genetically modified mosquitoes, and is therefore incorrect.
Another advantage in using
genetically modified mosquitoes to reduce their population is that it will reduce
the need for insecticides. Insecticides are chemicals that can
be harmful to the environment and to human health. So, answer choice (C) represents an
advantage of the use of genetically modified mosquitoes and is therefore
incorrect.
By creating mosquitoes whose
offspring die, we are preventing reproduction in the next generation, which would
eventually wipe out the population. Bats, birds, fish, and many other
animals eat mosquitoes as a part of their food chain. So, by eliminating this population,
this could have an ecological impact on these animals.
Therefore, answer choice (A)
represents a disadvantage of genetically modifying mosquitoes, and this is the
correct answer. The genetically modified mosquitoes
will not be able to reproduce at all, and this will eventually wipe out entire
populations of mosquitoes from food chains.
