“In a groundbreaking study, researchers have successfully engineered human skin bacteria to significantly reduce mosquito attraction, offering protection for up to 11 days,” reports Synbiobeta:
This innovative approach presents a potential game-changer in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika….Female mosquitoes are highly attuned to the scents released by skin microbes on their targets…
When tested in isolation, the engineered version of [the skin bacteria] S. epidermidis attracted about half as many Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes compared to their wild-type counterparts. Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were also 22% less attracted to the engineered microbes.
Further trials involved applying the engineered microbes to mice. The results were striking: mice treated with wild-type S. epidermidis attracted a significant number of mosquitoes, while those painted with the engineered bacteria saw a reduction in mosquito attraction by up to 64.4%.
Scientists have also developed a new, more effective mosquito repellent you can easily apply to your skin, but the FDA will keep it from being sold in the U.S. for years, just as the FDA blocks the most effective sunscreens, which are available in Europe, from being sold in America.
In other news, scientists have genetically engineered a fly species to eat more waste. A genetically-modified chicken lays eggs that people allergic to eggs can eat.
Scientists have genetically engineered a cow that produces human insulin in its milk.
Genetic engineering recently produced bacon and pork that people who are allergic to red meat can eat.
A genetically-engineered apple doesn’t turn brown when you slice it, the way most apples do.
