Episode 3: What are the Genetic Modifications in the Florida Mosquitos?

Tiny Vampires

Information on the genetically modified mosquitoes the residence of the Florida Keys voted to release. Including what modifications were done, how the modifications will control the mosquito population, and some of the scientific investigation on the effectiveness of the lethal gene.

Howard Hues Medical Institute video summary on how OX513A works.

Learn the process by which a line of genetically modified mosquitoes was engineered to reduce populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the wild. Viruses like Dengue, chickungunya, yellow fever, and Zika virus are spread by a species of mosquitoes called Aedes aegypti. To reduce the number of infections, health officials use various methods aimed at reducing mosquito populations.

All about the fluorescent proteins that were used in the GM mosquitoes.

Another video, this one was produced by Oxitec to demonstrate how they rear millions of mosquitoes and separate the males from the females.

The background on the vote in the Florida Keys.

The Third World Network wrote a piece on GM mosquitoes "Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: ongoing Concerns”

The US Food and Drug Administration's environmental assessment can be read here.

More information about the Screw Worm eradication in North Africa.

The music for this podcast is by http://www.bensound.com/badass

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