Scientists have previously tried to artificially alter the genome of insects to reduce their population. But instead they chose an alternative approach. A group of American geneticists has developed genetically modified mosquitoes that are unable to carry the malaria-causing agent – malaria plasmodium. This was achieved using the innovative genetic editing tool Cas9. It blocked the genes responsible for producing two antibodies effective against Plasmodium, allowing mosquitoes to make changes to their DNA.

Previously, scientists tried to find ways to destroy mosquito populations, which are carriers of dangerous infectious diseases. Usually in such cases, they try to disrupt the DNA of male mosquitoes so that their offspring are sterile. Genetically modified males were released into the population circulating dangerous pathogens. However, all these attempts were unsuccessful: female mosquitoes sooner or later learned to recognize modified males and refused to mate with them.

The new approach makes it possible to bypass this protective response of bloodsuckers to genetic changes. “Super mosquitoes” created by geneticists are not inferior to ordinary mosquitoes in their ability to breed and produce viable offspring, which are immune to malaria and do not pose a threat to humans. The researchers hope this will allow antimalarial genes to spread through the mosquito population instead of being lost through natural selection.

However, experts point out that this method also has some drawbacks: Superimmune mosquitoes will put evolutionary pressure on Plasmodium, forcing it to change. This gives Plasmodium an opportunity to evolve to circumvent man-made defenses.