'Anti-malarial mosquitoes' created using controversial genetic technology
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#VGX5)
Scientists aim to tackle malaria by creating insects unable to spread the parasite, but caution urged over unpredictable ecological consequences
Hundreds of genetically modified mosquitoes that are incapable of spreading the malaria parasite to humans have been created in a laboratory as part of a radical approach to combating the disease.
The move marks a major step towards the development of a powerful and controversial technology called a "gene drive" that aims to tackle the disease by forcing anti-malarial genes into swarms of wild mosquitoes.
