The world sees up to 100 million cases and 22,000 deaths due to dengue every year. Researchers may have found a way to cut those numbers significantly.
A “death mechanism” built into the insects is meant to prevent viable female offspring resulting from the mating, according to the British biotech company conducting the trial.
British biotech company Oxitec said its release of GMO aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands reduced the naturally occurring mosquito population by 62 percent in the project area. Emails reveal Cayman officials disputed that figure.
