Brazil uses gentically-modified mosquitoes to fight dengue fever

Americas Now

Brazilian scientists are breeding genetically modified mosquitoes specifically designed to decimate their own population to combat dengue fever. In Natal, a remote community in northeast Brazil, mosquitoes have been modified so that when they mate, their offspring will not survive.

CCTV America’s Stephen Gibbs reports for Americas Now.

Brazil uses gentically-modified mosquitoes to fight dengue fever

Brazilian scientists are breeding genetically modified mosquitoes specifically designed to decimate their own population to combat dengue fever. In Natal, a remote community in northeast Brazil, mosquitoes have been modified so that when they mate, their offspring will not survive. CCTV America's Stephen Gibbs reports for Americas Now.

Dengue Fever is rarely fatal — only about 1 percent of people who contract the virus die. However, it can cause excruciating headaches, muscle pain, nausea, and other issues. The disease is spread rapidly by mosquitoes that thrive in stagnant pools of water. Last year, a record 1.5 million Brazilians contracted dengue.

Since male mosquitoes do not bite humans, scientists only release males every few weeks to try and cull the natural mosquito population that grows as summer approaches.

In Rio de Janiero, mosquitoes are infected with a bacterium, called Wolbachia, that inhibits the ability of the mosquitoes to transmit dengue.

While a genetically-modified mosquito may scare some, scientists said there is nothing to fear.

“We are confident that there is no damage using them in the field,” said Brazilian scientist Danilo Carvalho. “I think it can help humanity to get rid any kind of disease. It is just a matter of what to do, how to do it and do it properly.”

While this is the first time the method has been tried in the Americas, it was pioneered in Australia and is also being attempted in Indonesia and Vietnam.