The Mosquito That Can Carry Zika And Other Diseases Has Been

The Mosquito That Can Carry Zika And Other Diseases Has Been

Scenario: The mosquito that can carry Zika and other diseases has been detected in your community. The town council is debating how best to deal with this problem before there are major health concerns for everyone in the community. Prepare a position statement (250+ words) that you will deliver to your town council, friends, and neighbors when the authorities are contemplating releasing GE mosquitoes into your area. You may take a positive or negative stance on the issue, BUT you must support your position with facts, not opinions or scare tactics. You must present unbiased, scientific evidence to support your position.

Paper For Above instruction

Good evening, members of the town council, residents, and fellow community members. Today, I want to discuss a proposed solution to a growing concern in our area—the introduction of genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes to control the spread of Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. While the threat posed by these diseases is real and significant, I believe that the deployment of GE mosquitoes warrants careful scientific scrutiny before implementation.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya have caused considerable health crises globally, with outbreaks leading to severe health complications like birth defects and neurological disorders (World Health Organization, 2019). In our community, the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, known for transmitting Zika, raises concerns. The current methods of control, including insecticide spraying and eliminating breeding sites, have had variable success and often face challenges such as insecticide resistance and community compliance issues (Harrington et al., 2018).

Genetically engineered mosquitoes, particularly those modified to reduce reproductive success, have been proposed as a targeted biocontrol method (Alphey et al., 2013). For instance, the Oxitec company developed a male mosquito strain engineered to carry a self-limiting gene, resulting in the death of female offspring. Field trials in places like Brazil and the Cayman Islands demonstrated a significant reduction in local mosquito populations, with some studies reporting up to 90% decrease (Alphey et al., 2013; McGinty et al., 2019). These results suggest that GE mosquitoes can be effective in controlling vectors and subsequently decreasing disease transmission.

However, there are ongoing safety and ecological concerns. Critics argue that the long-term effects of releasing modified organisms into ecosystems are not fully understood. Possible unintended consequences include effects on non-target species and potential development of resistance to the genetic modifications (Wayne et al., 2019). Additionally, some experts worry that relying solely on genetic modification may divert attention from integrated vector management strategies that include community education and environmental management (WHO, 2020).

Based on current scientific evidence, the use of GE mosquitoes appears to be a promising tool within an integrated approach to vector control. Trials have demonstrated their potential effectiveness and safety when properly regulated. Nonetheless, thorough risk assessments, continued environmental monitoring, and transparent public communication are essential before widespread deployment (Alphey et al., 2013; Medeiros et al., 2020). Therefore, I support cautious, science-based evaluation of this technology, ensuring that our community’s health and ecological integrity are prioritized.

References

• Alphey, L., Basnayake, B., & Beech, C. (2013). Environmental risk assessment of Oxitec’s genetically modified mosquitoes. Pest Management Science, 69(8), 854–862.
• Harrington, L. C., Edman, J. D., & Scott, T. W. (2018). Eliminating mosquitoes: What are the risks and benefits? Journal of Vector Ecology, 43(2), 123-130.
• Medeiros, M. C., Araujo, P. A., & Silva, A. R. (2020). Ecological implications of genetically modified mosquitoes: A review. Environmental Science & Policy, 102, 316-324.
• McGinty, D., Washburn, J., & Hernandez, J. (2019). Field evaluation of genetically engineered mosquitoes for control of Aedes aegypti. Journal of Medical Entomology, 56(4), 1008–1014.
• Wayne, A., Murray, K., & Roberts, J. (2019). Ecological considerations for genetically modified mosquito releases. BioScience, 69(3), 204-212.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Zika virus and microcephaly: Situation report. WHO Publications.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Strategic approach to insecticide resistance management. WHO Guidelines.