The technology, called CRISPR/Cas9, allows unprecedented precision-editing of genomes and could be used - in a drive against mosquitoes - to introduce a gene that makes all mosquitoes male, thus preventing reproduction and triggering an extinction of their populations. "It is possible, in principle, to use CRISPR/Cas9 to wipe out mosquitoes. Imagine eliminating dengue-spreading mosquitoes from Calcutta," said Sarkar, who delivered a talk today at Presidency University's bicentennial celebrations. Sarkar doesn't see any paradox between his conservation efforts and his cautious enthusiasm to discuss the elimination of disease-carrying mosquitoes. Monkeys are a major menace on farms in parts of northern India and, Sarkar concedes, suggestions to apply CRISPR/Cas9 for the extinction of anything other than mosquitoes would be problematic.

Source: The Telegraph January 10, 2017 22:38 UTC