Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NickB79

(20,294 posts)
18. Explain HOW a sterile mosquito strain created a more dangerous strain of virus to emerge?
Sat Jan 30, 2016, 02:24 PM
Jan 2016

There is no biological explanation for how this would occur. GM organisms aren't some mix of mutagenic toxins that convert anything they touch into monsters.

The more likely explanation is that people of the Americas are more susceptible genetically to this strain of Zika than those in Asia or Africa, where it's been endemic for generations. As we've seen for the past 500 years, Old World diseases that were not exceedingly lethal to Europeans have played havoc with those of Native American descent.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

That's encouraging. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2016 #1
That's how I read it too. yardwork Jan 2016 #14
Hubris? Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON) is Powering the Bioindustrial Revolution with Better DNA™ proverbialwisdom Jan 2016 #17
Err, that's backwards Recursion Jan 2016 #2
Would that it were so. forest444 Jan 2016 #4
No, it was *declared* after it Recursion Jan 2016 #5
The Juazeiro farm was in fact established in 2012. forest444 Jan 2016 #7
To be fair - the release site was chosen because it was already infested with mosquitoes. hedgehog Jan 2016 #3
I'll say. forest444 Jan 2016 #6
Our "scientists" are really so corrupted by the BIg corporation's nd their truedelphi Jan 2016 #26
That source is suspect. It includes the PP lie about selling baby parts--and that BS is *still* tblue37 Jan 2016 #8
To wit: forest444 Jan 2016 #9
Not following what the GM mosquitos have to do with Zika. NutmegYankee Jan 2016 #10
They're referring to this particular strain of Zika. forest444 Jan 2016 #11
Still not following what a failed mosquito control effort has to do with it. NutmegYankee Jan 2016 #12
"Has not yet succeeded after less than a year" does not equal "failed". Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2016 #16
And originated in the Pacific. Igel Jan 2016 #13
I did read 1939 Jan 2016 #23
Not surprised. Faux pas Jan 2016 #15
Explain HOW a sterile mosquito strain created a more dangerous strain of virus to emerge? NickB79 Jan 2016 #18
Wait, wait, isn't rushing to judgement ahead of the science to be discouraged? proverbialwisdom Jan 2016 #27
Wait, so... they made mosquitos that could go back in time? Lancero Jan 2016 #19
That article is based on fiction. alp227 Jan 2016 #21
Yes this is true malaise Jan 2016 #20
Oryx and Crake. nt Zorra Jan 2016 #22
Woo-woo anti-GMO, anti-science conspiracy bullshit. Odin2005 Jan 2016 #24
The virus carrying mossies were in Africa Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2016 #25
healthfreedoms.org LOL...nt SidDithers Jan 2016 #28
Mosquito-borne illnesses are likely in places where mosquitoes are prevalent petronius Jan 2016 #29
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Zika outbreak epicenter i...»Reply #18