Female mosquitoes are too 'smart' to refuse to 'fall in love' with genetically engineered male mosquitoes, attempting to destroy the pathetically failed mosquitoes

According to initial calculations by the scientists, the hybrid between wild mosquitoes and mosquitoes genetically will not survive to reproductive age.

In 2013, scientists at Yale University each week released 450,000 male mosquitoes genetically modified in the city of Jacobina (Brazil). These male mosquitoes have a reduced reproductive capacity compared to wild mosquitoes due to genetic modification. The purpose of this project is to gradually reduce the number of mosquitoes.

According to initial calculations by the scientists, the hybrid between wild mosquitoes and mosquitoes genetically will not survive to reproductive age, so the genetically modified will not be inherited for future generations. This has happened but raises an issue that scientists never expected.

Female mosquitoes are too 'smart' to refuse to 'fall in love' with genetically engineered male mosquitoes, attempting to destroy the pathetically failed mosquitoes Picture 1Female mosquitoes are too 'smart' to refuse to 'fall in love' with genetically engineered male mosquitoes, attempting to destroy the pathetically failed mosquitoes Picture 1
Genetically modified mosquitoes have been released into the wild to limit the number of mosquitoes previously.

For the first time, the number of mosquitoes in a small number of areas tested fell by 85%. But after a while, hybrids have a better chance of survival, able to live to reproductive age. This led to an increase in the number of mosquitoes, the altered gene even started to spread to the mosquitoes, contrary to the initial prediction of the scientists.

After about 18 months, the number of mosquitoes increased again. Scientists believe that female mosquitoes distinguish the genetically modified male mosquitoes they release into the environment and avoid mating with them.

Female mosquitoes are too 'smart' to refuse to 'fall in love' with genetically engineered male mosquitoes, attempting to destroy the pathetically failed mosquitoes Picture 2Female mosquitoes are too 'smart' to refuse to 'fall in love' with genetically engineered male mosquitoes, attempting to destroy the pathetically failed mosquitoes Picture 2

Currently, the mosquitoes in Jacobina have many genetic characteristics from many different types of mosquitoes. According to New Atlas, the fact that the mosquitoes here carry diverse genetic sources will create stronger, more resilient species in the future.

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