Should We Engineer the Mosquito?

Media

Logistics

  • Friday, November 8 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
  • Offering Format: Public Event, Forum
  • Recommended for grades 7 – 12 and adults
  • Cahners Theater
  • Free, register online

    • Associated Persons

    With Dyann Wirth, Richard Pearson Strong Professor and Chair, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health; Co-Chair, Infectious Diseases Initiative, The Broad Institute

Description

Mosquitoes are more than annoying pests — they’re carriers of the malaria parasite and the virus that causes dengue fever. Every year, malaria infects millions, causing thousands of deaths. Dengue fever is increasing in the US alongside EEE and West Nile virus. Scientists have infected mosquito eggs with malaria-killing bacteria and researched how to alter mosquito DNA to produce birth defects that kill the next generation.

Releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into new environments could bring us closer to eradicating these diseases but may also cause unforeseen consequences. Should we tinker with the mosquito? Come to discuss the potential benefits and tradeoffs.

This forum will help us inform the Provocative Questions section of our new permanent Hall of Human Life exhibition, opening November 16.

Advance registration begins at 9:00 a.m., Friday, October 25 (Wednesday, October 23 for Museum members).