5 ms·

Why not modify them genetically to prefer fruit and plant nectar instead of blood? Mosquitoes already feed on nectar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito#Fee

• Terr_ 11y ago
  On a practical level, why would we bother? Anything that'd transform a whole population that deeply is going to be much much harder than just poisoning them, and the resulting mutant-mosquitoes aren't filling any new or useful niche. (They'll probably die anyway from competition with better-adapted species.) Even the moral dimension seems... lacking: I doubt you'll will ever soulfully stare deep into the eyes of a mosquito and confess your species-guilt for having destroyed them, let alone explain why your cruel warping of their species was deemed the better choice.
  • ph0rque 11y ago
    Scientists already modify mosquitoes to produce only male offspring: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/gm-mosquitos-could-eradicate-wild-populations-only-producing-male-offspring http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/gm-mosquitos-c... I don't have any evidence, but I don't think that will work: life will find a way. But a modification that will let mosquitoes survive, but not bother humans (or animals), might be a good compromise.
• ufo 11y ago
  The whole point of mosquitos drinking blood is because its more protein rich and helps them lay more eggs.