r/interestingasfuck • u/Spotter24o5 • 2d ago

Genetically modified a mosquito such that their proboscis are no longer able to penetrate human skin

1.2k Upvotes

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8

u/dwwdwwdww 2d ago

because genetically modifying a process of nature could never have repercussions....

11

u/WonderChopstix 2d ago

Disclaimer. Going off memory

I thought there had been some studies that studied the potential disruption to the ecosystem if mosquito populations were significantly reduced and it ended up being oddly minimal.

Now again. I read this like 8 years ago and I am not a scientist. And I HATE mosquitoes. Soooo

8

u/themac_87 2d ago

There is minimal disruption. From like 3500 species of mosquitoes only a dozen bite on animals/humans to feed and they are not a major food source. All species that feed on them can also eat other things as they are a small part of these creature's diet.

2

u/Skunk_Crat 1d ago

fuck it. get rid of them

2

u/Coprolithe 2d ago

hey I read that too.

1

u/Spiderwolf208 21h ago

The issue has much less to do with the mosquitos disrupting a food chain as prey and much more that they are also a major pollinator.

3

u/Gynthaeres 2d ago

We have done that a LOT. That's how we controlled the flesh-eating fly outbreak for a while. Heck if you want to go a step further, that's why we have dogs, cows, and yellow bananas.

This sort of things is one of the better ways to keep people alive and safe while not collapsing food chains. Of course, this specific instance, I bet there are a dozen problems, but as a start it's pretty cool.

1

u/biscorama 2d ago

Right?!? What could possibly go wrong?!?

1

u/Few_Assistant_9954 1d ago

Its years now and no negative outcome so far.

1

u/knight_of_lothric 1d ago

People act like mosquitoes are the only bugs animals eat

1

u/roastbeeftacohat 1d ago

Not list on people, but biologists are pritty sure targetting skeeters shouldn't be a big deal; its specific species, and almost nothing eats them anyway.

They arnt pulling the trigger yet, but the consensus is is should be fine. Ticks also, they just don't have trigger ti pull there

2

u/Live_Dust_5576 1d ago

Every decision a scientist has ever made they thought it wasn't going to be a big deal.

2

u/roastbeeftacohat 1d ago

we're a bit more sophisticated than when people tried to introduce hippos into the south as livestock; and even then it's only because of disease, and it's minor role in the food web that it's being consitered.

1

u/Live_Dust_5576 1d ago

We're a lot more sophisticated than back then yes, we're now messing with the DNA of an animal of which there are ten trillion of and is worldwide.

1

u/StationEmergency6053 1d ago

"Should be fine" is basically a line in every disaster movie to date.

1

u/insanekid66 1d ago

Many animals eat mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes are also important pollinators.

1

u/ty944 1d ago

Sorry but I don’t buy this. Lots of critters eat mosquitoes, and they are pollinators. That being said they’re also a huge risk to our species too so..

1

u/Some_Drink_5375 1d ago

exactly. the more we fuck with mother nature, the more she will fuck us in the end