Food Chain Radio Show #1051

Michael Olson, Author & Urban Farming Agriculturalist

GMO MOSQUITO TO FIGHT ZIKA

This Poll is closed!!

Should we release GMO mosquitoes to fight Zika?

No

Yes

*

50%

50%

Guest: University of California Assistant Professor Omar Akbari

Though small, and seemingly insignificant, mosquitos are among the most dangerous creatures on earth. They are the

Michael Olson Food Chain Radio – Zika Virus and the GMO Mosquito

primary vectors for major diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever and Zika, which infect hundreds of millions of people throughout the world, killing millions every year. Over half the world’s population is vulnerable to mosquito-born illness.

Though the Zika virus was first discovered in 1947, it was never considered much of a threat, as the symptoms included a mild fever, skin rashes, muscle and joint pain and conjunctivitis. But in 2015 the disease popped up Brazil, where it was blamed for causing the unborn to developed malformed brains.

Thanks to world trade, Zika is rapidly being spread throughout the world by its mosquito vector. Many of the traditional ways of fighting mosquitoes are losing their effectiveness, as the mosquitoes develop immunity to them. And so we ask…

Leave a comment below:  Should we release GMO mosquitos to fight Zika?

Tune in here, for the syndicated Food Chain Radio Show #1051 April 9, 2016 Saturday 9AM Pacific