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The fluorescent red mozzies that could protect us from other blood-hungry biters

The article from The Sydney Morning Herald discusses a groundbreaking initiative in Australia aimed at controlling mosquito populations through the use of genetically modified mosquitoes. These mosquitoes, which glow fluorescent red under a special light, are part of a project by the University of Queensland's School of Biological Sciences. The genetically modified male mosquitoes are released to mate with wild female mosquitoes, resulting in offspring that do not survive to adulthood, thereby reducing the population of disease-carrying mosquitoes like *Aedes aegypti*, which spreads dengue fever, Zika virus, and other diseases. This method, known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), has been tested in various locations globally with promising results. The project not only aims to decrease the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases but also explores the ecological and ethical implications of such genetic interventions.

Read the Full Sydney Morning Herald Article at:
[ https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-fluorescent-red-mozzies-that-could-protect-us-from-other-blood-hungry-biters-20241205-p5kw6o.html ]