Do Now U! Should Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Be Used to Stop the Spread of Zika?

NCSCE and KQED are partnering on a new project, Do Now U. Do Now U engages undergraduate students in online discussions about current scientific issues through the innovative use of social media.

 

Original Title: AA_0124sRGB.tifThis week’s post looks at a potential way to combat the Zika virus. Ashley Panton-Lula, a student at Southern Connecticut State University, wrote “Should Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Be Used to Stop the Spread of Zika?”  

In the post, Ashley outlines the arguments for and against the creation of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes in the fight against the Zika virus. Releasing GM mosquitoes that will produce non-viable offspring will strangle the spread of the virus vector. However, the use of GM mosquitoes could cause unknown consequences to the ecosystem.

Join the Conversation!

Learn more about the pros and cons of using GM mosquitoes to fight the Zika virus and improve students’ science communication and media literacy skills by having them comment on the post or share their thoughts on Twitter using the hashtag #DoNowUZika.

Do Now U will be going on a hiatus during the summer. While we’re away, revisit previous Do Now U post and look for new posts in the Fall 2016 semester!

 

Photo: James Gathany, provided by CDC/ Prof. Frank Hadley Collins, Dir., Cntr. for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Univ. of Notre Dame

Posted in SENCER-ISE News.