Mosquitos get tough on Malaria

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Mosquitos get tough on Malaria

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

I voted bad, because anything alive, especially bacteria and viruses will mutate to survive. If we wipe out a certain strain, another will explode. I think we'll always be one step behind in this type of action. Round and round we'll go. I'm more for an immunity-building approach, not killing off viruses. That's what bugs (he he) me about the flu vaccine. It's always 2 yrs. behind, the strains being decided in February for the following winter's flu season.

GM in general doesn't excite me, especially when it comes to Frankenfoods.

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

Genetic modification is ok in my book. We've been doing it for thousands of years through selective breeding anyway. We are just now able to speed up the process. The mosquito is just the carrier anyway. If we can stop the carrier then we can save thousands of lives especially in third world countries where this disease continues to impact the poor. If we can get rid of polio then we should try to get rid of other diseases as well.

Cat Herder · Understander of unimportant things

I would vote don't know.

I thought malaria was spread by mosquitos that had sucked up some blood of someone who already had malaria and were simply the transmittal mechanism for the virus, not actually an infected organism with the virus.

Of course, if they can create a mosquito that kills the virus so that it doesn't get passed on to someone else, that would probably be a good thing.

Anyway, regarding "frankenfoods" and the like... when the log rolls over, we'll all be dead anyway. As Jason said, man has been doing various sorts of GM for millenia. Do you like sweet corn on the cob? What about cabbage, or broccoli, or kale, or brussel sprouts, or kohlrabi, or cauliflower? How about pet dogs or cats? How about holstein or guernsey cows? All are the result of selective breeding, which is just another form of genetic modification. Why, each of us can be considered the result of genetic modification and selective breeding as well...

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

Cat Herder wrote:

I would vote don't know.

I thought malaria was spread by mosquitos that had sucked up some blood of someone who already had malaria and were simply the transmittal mechanism for the virus, not actually an infected organism with the virus.

Of course, if they can create a mosquito that kills the virus so that it doesn't get passed on to someone else, that would probably be a good thing.

Anyway, regarding "frankenfoods" and the like... when the log rolls over, we'll all be dead anyway. As Jason said, man has been doing various sorts of GM for millenia. Do you like sweet corn on the cob? What about cabbage, or broccoli, or kale, or brussel sprouts, or kohlrabi, or cauliflower? How about pet dogs or cats? How about holstein or guernsey cows? All are the result of selective breeding, which is just another form of genetic modification. Why, each of us can be considered the result of genetic modification and selective breeding as well...

I've changed my mind now that I've found out that Cat is the result of selective breeding. Obviously an experiment gone bad!!!

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

Yeah well, real live bullet proof vests that are light as a feather (see LOTR) created from goat milk after the goat genes have been "mixed" with spider genes is a far cry from:

"Hey, Earl! Grab me that tape measure so we can pick us a bull fer next year!"

Forgot link.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/bernie/news/981016.htm

-- Edited by Cocobeem at 16:01, 2007-03-20

Mahonri · Senior Bucketkeeper

Coco... you crack me up. Where do you find sites like this?

thanks

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

My husband actually told me about the project last year. I just did a quick google and chose one that was short. I have a short attention span and long links usually lose me.

I'll add- my husband works for the government.... oooh.....