Mosquitoes with ‘toxic’ semen could stem disease spread - research

Female mosquitoes are targeted because only they bite and drink blood, thereby spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Photo / Warren Buckland

• Australian scientists are trialling genetically engineered mosquitoes with toxic semen to combat tropical diseases
• The ‘toxic male technique’ aims to kill female mosquitoes after mating, reducing disease spread
• The method could be as effective as pesticides without harming beneficial species, researchers said.

Genetically engineered mosquitoes with toxic semen could be a new weapon against tropical disease, Australian scientists said after trialling the novel pest control method.

The “toxic male technique” aims to breed mosquitoes that express venomous proteins in their semen, killing off females after mating.

Female mosquitoes are targeted because only they bite and drink blood, thereby spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

Scientist Sam Beach from Australia’s Macquarie University said the method “could work as quickly as pesticides without also harming beneficial species”.

“This innovative solution could transform how we manage pests, offering hope for healthier communities and a more sustainable future.”

The first proof-of-concept trials used fruit flies, a common laboratory species favoured for its short two-week life cycle.

Female flies that bred with “toxic” males had a significantly reduced lifespan, the scientists found.

Researcher Maciej Maselko said the team would now trial the method in mosquitoes.

“We still need to implement it in mosquitoes and conduct rigorous safety testing to ensure there are no risks to humans or other non-target species,” he said.

Genetic engineering has been used for years to control populations of disease-spreading mosquitoes.

Typically, these approaches slow reproduction by releasing hordes of male insects that are genetically modified to be sterile.

Computer models showed techniques actively killing biting females could be far more effective, the research team said.

The research was described in a paper published by peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.

- Agence France-Presse