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I'm sure other have the same question [0]: "But how does the self-limiting gene work? First, let’s step back and consider that each mosquito is made up of man
by tmikaeld 7y ago
I'm sure other have the same question [0]:
"But how does the self-limiting gene work?
First, let’s step back and consider that each mosquito is made up of many cells. In order for each cell to survive, it needs to make essential proteins. The proteins are made when genes (made of DNA) are converted into RNA and subsequently the RNA is converted into protein.
DNA → RNA → Protein … Happy cell
However, when the self-limiting gene (DNA) is made into a protein, the self-limiting protein is able to block the process of converting DNA into RNA.
DNA -X RNA -X Protein … dead cells, dead mosquito
Without RNA, proteins aren’t made, the cells die, and the mosquito dies too."
[0] https://stringsblog.com/2017/06/19/how-it-works-a-self-limiting-gene/ https://stringsblog.com/2017/06/19/how-it-works-a-self-limit...
- ergl 7y agoYeah, except it didn't seem to work too well last time: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49660-6 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49660-6 "Transgenic Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Transfer Genes into a Natural Population"
- aiyodev 7y agoMichael Crichton is rolling in his grave.
- chopin 7y agoThere is no possible way this can go wrong...
- raducu 7y agoBut natural populations of mosquitoes probably number in millions/billions and the don't have the mutation. How can you release a handful of lab mosquitoes into the wild and reduce the population by 90%? Shouldn't only their descendants die?
- nmca 7y agoIndeed a germline modification to produce only male offspring would do it. Children of men, and all that.
- Accujack 7y agoThey're turning the moths gay!
- Enginerrrd 7y ago>Shouldn't only their descendants die? You are in for an exciting and sort of terrifying read: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_drive https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_drive