3 ms·

Intentions don't always match outcomes when it comes to fiddling with these systems.

graeme 6y ago
That's true. But, by what plausible mechanism could this project switch from killing one species of mosquito to killing all of them? There's no way it would happen via natural selection. The mosquito is engineered to die. The project has to keep releasing new genetically engineered mosquitos to mate with females. I totally get the idea that removing all mosquitos would likely lead to spiralling ecosystem collapse, and it's possible that even killing this one species could do so. But, are you arguing that trying to kill this one species could kill all mosquito species? I just don't see how that's possible with this mechanism.
- jacobr1 6y ago
  One idea: killing one specious could cause some kind of "trophic cascade" style impact. Such as, imagine that current preditor (B) of the targeted species (A) adapts to target an alternate species (C) and is a more efficient predator wiping them out. But then usual preditor of (C) species (D) has now lost is food source and dies off, as do species that depend upon it, maybe in indirect ways, like its excrement is needed to fertilize certain plant species and then other animals dependant upon that plant are impacted and so on and so on. Note: I think these types of scenarios are unlikely and am in favor of the eradication programs (though I do think we should have smaller-scale trials not just to validate efficacy but also to understand unintended impacts). But we have observed these types of impacts. It isn't just a crazy idea. But nature also seems to me to quite adaptable.
  - graeme 6y ago
    I think that’s plausible, but you seem to have missed the point. OP asked whether anyone was considering killing all mosquitos? Myself and others replied no, just this one species. It’s indeed possible that there would be local ill effects, possibly even on other mosquitos. But I don’t see how it would affect mosquitos outside Aedes Aegypti’s habitat. Also, the species is invasive outside of Africa. This increases the odds it could be safely eliminated in those areas. I still agree there’s the possibility of great impacts. But I don’t think it could affect “all mosquitos”.

That's true. But, by what plausible mechanism could this project switch from killing one species of mosquito to killing all of them? There's no way it would happen via natural selection. The mosquito is engineered to die. The project has to keep releasing new genetically engineered mosquitos to mate with females. I totally get the idea that removing all mosquitos would likely lead to spiralling ecosystem collapse, and it's possible that even killing this one species could do so. But, are you arguing that trying to kill this one species could kill all mosquito species? I just don't see how that's possible with this mechanism.

jacobr1 6y ago
One idea: killing one specious could cause some kind of "trophic cascade" style impact. Such as, imagine that current preditor (B) of the targeted species (A) adapts to target an alternate species (C) and is a more efficient predator wiping them out. But then usual preditor of (C) species (D) has now lost is food source and dies off, as do species that depend upon it, maybe in indirect ways, like its excrement is needed to fertilize certain plant species and then other animals dependant upon that plant are impacted and so on and so on. Note: I think these types of scenarios are unlikely and am in favor of the eradication programs (though I do think we should have smaller-scale trials not just to validate efficacy but also to understand unintended impacts). But we have observed these types of impacts. It isn't just a crazy idea. But nature also seems to me to quite adaptable.
- graeme 6y ago
  I think that’s plausible, but you seem to have missed the point. OP asked whether anyone was considering killing all mosquitos? Myself and others replied no, just this one species. It’s indeed possible that there would be local ill effects, possibly even on other mosquitos. But I don’t see how it would affect mosquitos outside Aedes Aegypti’s habitat. Also, the species is invasive outside of Africa. This increases the odds it could be safely eliminated in those areas. I still agree there’s the possibility of great impacts. But I don’t think it could affect “all mosquitos”.