Joliet Junior College Malaria and Mosquito Engineering Discussion

Malaria and mosquito engineering

A.  Study the following resources and others in the module

Genetic Engineering and Diseases – Gene Drive & Malaria (7 min)

B.  After studying the above materials and those in module, post your discussion response to ONE of the following question (5 pts):

Why mosquitoes are notorious for transmission of pathogens

• What causes malaria and which organ and cells does it infect?

What are 4 most common diseases spread by mosquito?

How many people infected with malaria in 2015 and how many of them died? What is the percent death rate according to these data?

Which technology is used to engineer mosquito and how does it work?

1. What do you think? Will it be better to use or not use the engineered mosquito to curb malaria and other diseases spread by mosquito and why? 

C. Then, read your class-mates posts and reply to at least two of your classmates. Your comments should be meaningful (not simply “Yeah, me too” or “I agree”). (2.5 pts for each full meaningful response). Make sure you include following in your reply: 

• start by greeting the class-mate by name 
• contribute to one or two of his/her discussion point with your view
• Pose any related questions you might have

1. your name
2. D.  Answer any questions you might get from class-mates

Which technology is used to engineer mosquito and how does it work?

The gene technology being used is called crisper. This was originally discover as a viral defense in bacteria. The mechanism works via RNA binding to a DNA segment that permits an attached enzyme to sever the DNA strand of a virus invader to the bacterial or archaeal cell. With this we can sever select nucleotide sequences and insert genes that code for specific antibodies, such as ones that give the vector of malaria immunity against the eukaryotic plasmodium as a dominant trait.It has also been found that this device is far more quotidian to the function of prokaryotic cells that we thought. It oftem merely thwarts foreign nucleic acids from entering a genome or it regulates gene expression.

2:

I absolutely believe people should genetically modify mosquitos to stop the spread of malaria. As the video explained, there could be unwanted consequences with genetic engineering of a whole species, but since it is a small insignificant fragment of the mosquito DNA, it should not change much, apart from stopping the spread of malaria. It would prevent over half a million of people dying each year. People do need to be careful with genetic engineering, but in this case, it seems as if there would be no other side effects, since it is just and antibody gene inserted.