Ethics and Ecology: The Mosquito Dilemma

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on earth. They carry diseases, including malaria, which killed more than half a million people in 2023, according to the World Health Organization.   

Now, we may have a way to fight back. Scientists have developed gene editing technology that renders female mosquitoes infertile, which could lead to a total collapse of certain malaria-carrying mosquito species. Would a world without these mosquitoes have unintended side effects? And should humans be allowed to kill off an entire species?

Climate and wildlife reporter Dino Grandoni explains the exciting science and fraught ethics of being able to eliminate mosquitoes. 

Today’s show was produced by Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval. It was edited by Elana Gordon with help from Ariel Plotnick and Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Marisa Bellack.  

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