Scientists Genetically Modify Bacteria in Mosquitoes for ‘Malaria Control’

By Mike Barrett – Natural Society -

In a further attempt to wipe out diseases via genetic modification, scientists  are now genetically modifying bacteria found within the mid-gut of mosquitoes in  order to ‘wipe out malaria’. Of course this form of malaria  control is not the safest or most predictable, but as we know,  scientists are continuously trying to genetically modify the world in which we  live.

Malaria Control – Reducing Malaria  Through Genetic Modification?

In order to ‘kill’ malaria in mosquitoes, scientists are genetically  modifying a bacterium called Pantoea agglomerans so that it secretes  toxic proteins. These toxic proteins are ‘not harmful’ to humans or the mosquito  itself, but they do kill off the malaria parasite. One of the toxic compounds  blocks the malaria from attaching to a crucial protein which allows it to  survive, while another compound may penetrate the malaria’s protective outer  layer, ultimately leading to it’s death.

“There are not one, but several anti-malaria compounds the bacterium  secretes…Each acts by a different mechanism and makes it much more difficult for  the parasite to develop a resistance to it.” explained Dr. Marcelo  Jacobs-Lorena, senior author of the study and a professor at the Johns Hopkins  Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Is this a good method for malaria control? If history has taught the world  anything about genetic modification, absolutely not. In the past, scientists  have actually modified the mosquitoes themselves. You may remember that before  this endeavor of malaria control was the genetic modification of mosquitoes by a  company called Oxitec. The British company responsible for the creation of  the genetically  modified mosquitoes created this internally manipulated insect to help  control agricultural pests and reduce insect-borne diseases like dengue fever  and malaria. They received about $24 million from investors for their mosquito  science project.

The issue with all of this? We simply do not know the potential outcomes  that could arise from such manipulation of nature. As for present day genetic  modification, all signs show that so far all we are doing is killing  the food supply. Needless to say, the scientists know that it will be  difficult to gain approval for this genetic modification regarding mosquitoes  and malaria control.

“It may take quite a bit of effort,” Jacobs-Lorena said. “People are  predisposed against genetically modified foods and plants.  Imagine what  kind of challenges we’ll have with this.”

Are we really ‘predisposed against genetically modified foods and plants,’ or  are we simply not blind to the devastating prices genetically modified  organisms, such as Monsanto’s GMO  corn, come with?

http://naturalsociety.com/malaria-control-mosquitoes-bacteria/#ixzz214HFhy1e