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The Wipeout Gene


Climate change, species loss, pollution, and environmental destruction.

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Post Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:41 pm

The Wipeout Gene

I don't know if this scares me, makes me furious, or what. probably some of each.
seems like maybe this is one of those things that will have unexpected consequences.

The Wipeout Gene

A new breed of genetically modified mosquitoes carries a gene that cripples its own offspring. They could crush native mosquito populations and block the spread of disease. And they are already in the air—though that's been a secret

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-wipeout-gene
Researchers also struggle with how to test their creations. No international laws or agencies exist to police trials of new transgenic organisms. For the most part, scientists and biotech companies can do what they want—even performing uncontrolled releases of test organisms in developing countries, neither warning the residents that their backyards are about to become a de facto biocolonialist field laboratory nor gaining their consent.
Here's my art blog that I'm trying to update.
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and a new news site for us!
http://endofempirenews.blogspot.com/

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Post Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:10 pm

Re: The Wipeout Gene

That upsets me for various reasons.

And while I understand that keeping mosquito populations in check helps combats many diseases I also KNOW mosquito, as maligned as they are, have a function in an ecosystem. Their juvenile form feeds some fish and amphibian populations, their adult form feeds some spider, insect, bat, and even bird populations. Both forms play host to microscopic life. And as an arm chair enthusiast of Things Biological I strongly suspect their bite not only transmits harmful bacteria and viruses but also beneficial bacteria and viruses. At this point there is this deeply ingrained belief that we will fix the consequences of our tinkering with more tinkering. Ie. "That's a future fight." We're such an optimistic species.
"It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life." Terry Pratchett
(Skeptic. But not of PO.)

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