Brazil to breed GM mosquitoes to combat dengue
July 10, 2012
BRASILIA ? Brazil said it will breed huge numbers of genetically modified mosquitoes to help stop the spread of dengue fever, an illness that has already struck nearly 500,000 people this year nationwide.
More: AFP
July 10, 2012
BRASILIA ? Brazil said it will breed huge numbers of genetically modified mosquitoes to help stop the spread of dengue fever, an illness that has already struck nearly 500,000 people this year nationwide.
"Their offspring will not reach adulthood, which should reduce the population," it said in a statement.
The new mosquitoes will be produced in a factory inaugurated on Saturday in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Four million insects will be churned out per week.
The experiment has already been attempted in two mosquito-infested towns in Bahia, each with about 3,000 inhabitants.
"Using this technique, we reduced the mosquito population by 90 percent in six months," the ministry said.
The new mosquitoes will be produced in a factory inaugurated on Saturday in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Four million insects will be churned out per week.
The experiment has already been attempted in two mosquito-infested towns in Bahia, each with about 3,000 inhabitants.
"Using this technique, we reduced the mosquito population by 90 percent in six months," the ministry said.
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