Panama next country expected to release millions of GM mosquitoes to stop spread of Zika virus

[Gert van der Hoek]

[h=1]Panama expected to follow Brazil's lead and release genetically modified mosquitoes whose offspring die as larvae in a bid to stop the spread of the terrifying Zika virus[/h]

• Panama is the next country expected to release millions of GM mosquitoes
• The non-bloodsucking, modified males mate with bloodsucking females
• But altered genes means their offspring die before the reproductive stage
• The GM bugs are shown to successfully wipe out infected populations
• Brazil, which has been worst hit by the Zika virus, is already using the bugs

Panama is the latest country to consider releasing millions of genetically modified mosquitoes on its territory to try and combat the spread of the fast-moving Zika virus.

The country's health ministry is looking into the 'viability and feasibility' of expanding a study that killed off disease-carrying mosquito populations by genetically altering the lifespan of their offspring.

It involves introducing male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes whose genes have been altered to mate with the females.

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