Genetically-Engineered Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes, engineered to possess a deadly gene for passing onto their offspring, have been released to the wild in several tropical locations. Preliminary indications are that the project is a success.

The results, and other work elsewhere, could herald an age in which genetically modified insects will be used to help control agricultural pests and insect-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria.

But the research is arousing concern about possible unintended effects on public health and the environment, because once genetically modified insects are released, they cannot be recalled.[…]

The first release, discussed in a scientific paper published online Sunday by the journal Nature Biotechnology, took place in the Cayman Islands in 2009 and caught the scientific community by surprise. Oxitec has subsequently released the modified mosquitoes in Malaysia and Brazil.

Boy, let's hope there are no unintended and irreversible consequences, like maybe -- uh -- the attack of the giant mutant mosquitoes. I imagine a film script has already been written.