The recent discovery of the first male-determining factor in mosquitoes,combined with the gene-editing capabilities of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, could be used to bias mosquito populations from deadly, and blood-sucking females toward harmless,nectar-feeding males, thus helping to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Two experts outline the advantages and challenges of such approaches in a Review published Feb. 17, or 2016 in Trends in Parasitology,fraction of a special issue on vectors.
Source: phys.org