How did the Zika epidemic become so widespread across the Americas? How do we stop mosquitoes from spreading the virus that causes the disease? Molecular biologist Nina Fedoroff proposes CRISPR gene editing as a way of stopping the disease without the use of harmful pesticides. However, its label as a GMO has frightened many people of its effects and drew controversy despite evidence of its safety. By genetically modifying mosquitoes to prevent infected ones from multiplying, can we really put an end to Zika and other deadly diseases biologically? And what can we do about the negative stigma that surrounds GMOs that can help us?
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this video to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Watch the original video on YouTube: A secret weapon against Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases
