The document presents information on using genetically modified mosquitoes to help control diseases spread by mosquitoes like dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya. It discusses how mosquitoes cause over 700,000 human deaths annually by spreading diseases and how current control methods are not working. The document outlines the process used by Oxitec, a biotech company, to genetically modify mosquitoes so that offspring cannot survive, helping suppress local mosquito populations. Field tests on the Caribbean island of Saba found the release of these mosquitoes results in negligible risks to human health and the environment. The document concludes that new approaches like genetically modified mosquitoes need to be tried to address the serious public health threat posed by disease-spread

1. Fight For Life : ‘We need
to try something new’
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
Presented by : Aamna Basra
Class : 6 D
Dr. Aamna Basra, PhD.
Technical Advisor - Ministry of Agriculture.

2. Flow of Information
1. Issue : Mosquitoes bound diseases
2. Issue Analysis : What are we dealing with
3. My Views
4. Caribbean island of Saba: Case study (referred Article)
4. Bio Tech : Solution (self limiting genes) and the process explained (Video)
5. Implications: Pros & Cons related with the factor.
6. Conclusion : “We need to try something new”

3. Issue Analysis :
ISSUE DEPTH OF ISSUE
The average number of human deaths per year attributed to each animal is listed above. The mosquito, by far the
deadliest animal on the planet, is responsible for an estimated 725,000 human deaths annually. Mosquitoes are
even more dangerous than other people: each year they cause more deaths than all annual homicides, suicides,
manslaughter and war related deaths combined.
The fight against mosquitoes has been waging since the dawn of
humankind. In fact, these pests are often considered the top natural
enemy of humans, since they’re a vector species for a number of fatal
diseases

4. Issue Analysis : What are we dealing with…..

5. Forensic Analysis : Bio Technology, a new weapon for
Caribbean island of Saba1. ZIKA biting the Caribbean Economy
2. MENACE For residents and travelers
3. Biotech Solution : Friendly Aedes Aegypti
• 15 million genetically modified mosquitoes have been imported to Saba
in order to fight dengue and chikungunya
• RIVM’s GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) office was
commissioned by the Executive Council of Saba to perform this
evaluation.
• In order to fight these diseases a British company (Oxitec) has
genetically modified the mosquito in such a way that it can suppress
local mosquito populations.
• The modification causes the mosquitoes' offspring to die prematurely.
• The potential release of these mosquitoes on Saba is considered to
result in negligible risks for human health and the environment.

6. Bio Tech : Solution for Life (self limiting genes)
PLEASE CLICK FOR VIDEO

7. Bio Tech : Solution for Life (self limiting genes)
PLEASE CLICK FOR VIDEO

8. My Views
Are Genetically Modified Mosquitoes a Bad Idea?
In collaboration with – OXITECH SOLUTIONS
Oxitec - A Pioneer in Biological Insect Control Solutions

9. Current Control Methods Aren’t Working
Social Hazard: Eradication with GM-Mosquitoes
The mosquito, by far the deadliest animal on the planet, is
responsible for an estimated 725,000 human deaths annually
Aedes aegypti don’t just spread Zika, but also dengue
fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya virus. “About 40
percent of the global population is at risk from this
species,”

10. PROS:
1. Introduction of GM mosquitoes will lower the
population of disease-carrying biting insects in our
environment over time.
2.Field-testing of the GM mosquito has not found any
significant impact on humans.
3.Reviews suggest the loss of invasive mosquito species
will have little to no effect on local environments since
they didn’t belong there to begin with.
4.The release of GM mosquitoes relies on a simple
numbers game – overwhelming natural male mosquitoes
with GMO male mosquitoes to out-compete them for
mates.
5.Naturalists say invasive species of any kind must be
eliminated from these environs at all costs.
6.No pesticides are added to the environment when
using GM mosquitoes.
CONS :
1.Concerns that the GM mosquitoes may carry or
develop unknown pathogens that hurt humans.
2.Critics say there has not been enough testing and
observation of the GM mosquitoes.
3.Concerns that the GM mosquitoes may mutate into a
stronger mosquito that can reproduce, which poses a
whole new threat to the environment.
4.The cost of producing GM mosquitoes is too
expensive and time-consuming.
5.There are already numerous methods for destroying
mosquitoes
5. Pros and Cons of GM mosquitoes
Environmentally (factor chosen)

11. Battle which we deserve a chance to fight.
It is ignorance, distrust, fear of unknown, fear of prior efforts to
use bio technology to combat pests, which sends down chills
among people for new experiments.
Although genetically modifying something might seem
scary…….
ZIKA VIRUS IS MUCH, MUCH,
MUCH
SCARIER!!!

12. ‘We need to try something new’
Dr. Aamna Basra, PhD.
Technical Advisor - Ministry of Agriculture.

13. Wow….. I am done !!!! It was an amazing learning journey of
Genetic Engineering…. I learnt a lot!!!!!
Time to share some new Vocabulary
I came across
Contorted- Twisted out of its normal shape.
Bio Technology- Technological application that uses biology
Aedes Aegypti - A mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses,
and other diseases.
Self Limiting
Genes- Colony of organisms limits its own growth by its actions.
Vector- An organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or
plant to another.
Invasive Species- Animal species that is not native to a specific location, and which has a tendency to spread to a
degree believed to cause damage to the environment, human economy or human health.
Pathogens- a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Mutate- Undergo or cause to undergo change in a gene or genes.

14. Time to give credit(MLA 8 FORMAT)
Article Chosen: “GM-Mosquitoes to Fight Zika, Cleared for Takeoff, Report Says.” GM-Mosquitoes to Fight Zika, Cleared
for Takeoff, Report Says | American Council on Science and Health, www.acsh.org/news/2017/07/11/gm-mosquitoes-
fight-zika-cleared-takeoff-report-says-11537.
Griffiths, Sarah. “Forget Sharks - Mosquitoes and SNAILS Are the World's Deadliest Animals: Graphic Reveals the
Human Race's Biggest Killers.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 1 Feb. 2016,
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2615737/Forget-sharks-mosquitoes-SNAILS-worlds-deadliest-animals-
Graphic-reveals-human-races-biggest-killers.html.
Miller, Annetta, and special to CNBC.com. “Jury out on How GMO Mosquitoes Aimed at Stopping Zika May Hurt
Humans.” CNBC, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2016, www.cnbc.com/2016/08/08/crushing-zika-via-genetically-modified-
mosquitoes.html.
Athenssciencecafe. Athens Science Observer, 27 July 2017, athensscienceobserver.com/2017/07/27/born-to-die-
genetically-modified-mosquitoes-could-be-the-answer-to-zika-epidemic/.
.
“The Science.” Oxitec, www.oxitec.com/our-solution/technology/the-science/.