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Government Gets Molecular in Fight Against Mosquitoes
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| The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service has developed a molecular pesticide that may be able to target specific species of mosquitoes. |
The problem with many pesticides is that they are often indiscriminant poisons, killing innocent bystanders along with the targeted pests. The problem with mosquitoes is they suck blood, they can spread disease and their bites sting.
If what it says could become a blueprint for a new generation of pest control products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service has developed a molecular pesticide that may be able to target specific species of mosquitoes without posing a risk to the health of people, pets and wildlife.
The government also claims the new technology could overcome the mosquitoes’ ability to develop resistance to more traditional parasites.
Essentially, the molecular pesticide, based on a nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA, interrupts genes needed for the insect to produce certain proteins necessary to survive, thus causing the insect to die. Because it targets specific genes of specific species, the government believes it would not affect people and non-targeted species.
The government believes this technology minimizes the environmental impact of killing mosquitoes, at least as much as possible when removing a component of the ecological system, and it could play a major role in future mosquito management programs.
For example, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s pending policy on mosquito and mosquito-borne disease management policy states that “we will allow populations of native mosquito species to function unimpeded unless they cause a human and/or wildlife health threat.” The policy then details how refuges should monitor and manage mosquito populations, with a great deal of emphasis on minimizing impact on other species.
Generally, the refuges have been set up to conserve natural habitats for wildlife, including insects. Mosquitoes, however, can present significant public health issues, serving as vectors for diseases such as West Nile Virus.
Through Dec. 11, 2007, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 3,400 cases, including 93 deaths, of human West Nile Virus in 43 states, and more than 2,000 birds that died from the virus during the year.
The government is currently seeking commercial partners to help develop the technology. <HOME>
Posted January 25, 2008, 11:00 a.m., EST
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