Brazil Releases GM Mosquitoes to Combat DiseasesSeptember 13, 2017



<img alt='facebook sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/facebook.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='twitter sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/twitter.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='email sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/email.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='sharethis sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/sharethis.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='messenger sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/messenger.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>



A new batch of genetically modified mosquitoes was released in Brazil to combat mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.

The GM mosquitoes contain Wolbachia bacterium which interferes with the reproduction of new offsprings, thus eradicating the population and the spread of diseases. According to the head researcher, Luciano Moreira, the effectiveness of the plan will only be evaluated after three to five years. He also called on the residents to help combat the diseases through their own efforts.

"People must be aware that they have to do their part. It's really important. Taking care of their yards, eliminating breeding sites, not leaving containers or vessels with water for mosquitoes to breed," said Moreira.

Around 2 million GM mosquitoes are targeted to be released by the end of 2018.

Read more from Nigeria Circle and Xinhuanet.




<img alt='facebook sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/facebook.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='twitter sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/twitter.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='email sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/email.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='sharethis sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/sharethis.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>
<img alt='messenger sharing button' src='https://platform-cdn.sharethis.com/img/messenger.svg' style='box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: initial; font: inherit; vertical-align: top; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; relative; top: 8px;'>





Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.

DONATE


See more articles:News from Around the WorldNAM Adopts Resolution Supporting BiotechnologyScientists Unlock Secrets of PhotosynthesisNew Oat Variety Developed to Help Reduce CholesterolSweet Potato Genome Provides Insights on its Revolutionary HistoryVietnam Eyes GM Corn to Help Reduce Corn ImportsGlyphosate Has No Endocrine Disrupting Properties, EFSA Peer Review ConcludesScientists Decode Finger Millet GenomeResearch HighlightsLysin Motif-Containing Proteins Play Role in Defense against Verticillium dahliae in CottonCAAS Scientists Develop GE Cabbage Resistant to Diamondback MothBeyond Crop BiotechOverexpression of HbERF-IXc5 Enhances Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Latex Production in RubberBrazil Releases GM Mosquitoes to Combat DiseasesFrom the BICsBiodiversity Conservation Agency Holds Workshop on Insect Resistance Management on GM Crops in VietnamResourcesLet the CRISPR Games Begin!PlantScientists Use CRISPR-Cas9 to Change Morning Glory's Flower ColorCRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Mutagenesis of SlMAPK3 Reduces Drought Tolerance in Tomato