Using mosquitos to deliver Malaria vaccines
Here is a more recent article (since BBC is talking about it today):
https://www.sciencealert.com/promising-new-malaria-vaccine-can-be-injected-by-mosquito-bite
I always thought no good comes from mosquitos, as they are a parasite that is wholly detrimental to other organisms. If that whole specie were to go extinct, I would celebrate. Now I have to reconsider.
I also have to wonder how vegans take this news. It’s a case of humans exploiting non-humans, but AFAICT it’s turning a wholly harmful non-respectable organism into a beneficial one.
Oh boy. I can already hear the conspiracy anti-vaxxers freaking out over the concept of engineered mosquitoes delivering vaccines.
I suppose the response is to give them links to mosquito repellents and mosquito nets.. tell them they are still in control.
They’ll use enough DEET to reduce the number of small birds, fish, frogs, lizards, etc. in their area.
Minor tangential point, but they're a major prey animal for things like dragonflies and certain birds. Probably due to their large numbers and rather inept flying abilities.
And bats, which pollenate agave, which makes them important to tequila production. So I do have to retract what I said about mosquitos having no benefit.