Journal of Mosquito Research 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 10-17 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/jmr 11 1 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Editing Mosquitoes with CRISPR 1.1 Purpose and prospect of releasing CRISPR edited mosquitoes in the wild The purpose of releasing mosquitoes edited by CRISPR in the wild is to address the problem of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes as vectors for transmitting various diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus (Qiu et al., 2022). These infectious diseases pose a serious threat to human health, and traditional control methods face challenges in chemical insecticide resistance and vaccine development. Gene editing based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology can accurately modify the genes of mosquitoes, thereby affecting their reproductive and transmission abilities, providing a new way to reduce the risk of disease transmission. However, CRISPR editing mosquito releases also brings potential risks and challenges (Figure 1). One of the main issues is the impact on the balance between non target species and ecosystems. Editing mosquitoes may affect the ecological niches and food chains of other insects and animals, causing unpredictable changes in the ecosystem. The genetic drift of edited mosquito genes may spread in wild mosquito populations, leading to unexpected ecological and genetic effects, further increasing the risk. To address these challenges, it is necessary to establish long-term monitoring plans and implement ecological restoration strategies to maintain ecological balance and system stability. Figure 1 CRISPR editing mosquito techniques (Image source: Baidu Image Library) The implementation of this new technology also involves social acceptance and legal issues. The attitude and concerns of the public are crucial, and their participation and support can determine the success of this method. Developing and complying with relevant laws and regulations is an important part of ensuring that gene edited mosquito releases comply with ethical and environmental safety standards. Taking into account both interests and risks, as well as broad social and legal participation, is the key to achieving the successful application of gene edited mosquitoes. 1.2 Potential risks: the impact of gene edited mosquitoes on ecosystems The wild release of genetically edited mosquitoes may have far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and requires careful consideration. The introduction of mosquitoes may disrupt the food chain and ecological balance in ecosystems (Phelps et al., 2020). These mosquitoes, as part of the food chain, regulate the quantity and behavior of other biological populations. Changing the population size and behavior of mosquitoes may affect other organisms that interact with them, leading to changes in the number and distribution of carnivores and other consumers, thereby affecting the stability of the entire ecosystem. Editing mosquitoes may lead to the redistribution of ecological niches. Mosquitoes play a specific role in ecosystems, and their numbers and behavior have an impact on the survival and reproduction of other organisms. If editing mosquitoes changes their ecological niche, it may lead to changes in competitive relationships, affecting the function and structure of the entire ecosystem. This change may have a chain reaction on other biological populations, thereby affecting the overall operation of the ecosystem.
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