Event Title
GVSU Students in Favor of Altering the Mosquito Genome to Prevent Disease Transmission
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Accounting, Finance, Business Economics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Physics
Mentor Information
Osman Patel
Department
Cell and Molecular Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center KC 72
Start Date
10-4-2013 2:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2013 3:00 PM
Keywords
Environment, Life Science
Abstract
Genetic modification of organisms is commonplace in research laboratories around the world; however, these organisms are strictly monitored and housed in research facilities. Within the last decade, scientists have produced a genetically altered species of mosquitoes to reduce the transmission of dengue fever in third-world countries. Several controlled field tests of these altered mosquitoes have already taken place in the Cayman Islands, Malaysia, and Brazil. We randomly surveyed 200 GVSU students to estimate whether or not the general student population would support genetic modification of mosquitoes in an attempt to reduce the spread of West Nile Virus in Michigan. Seventy three percent of respondents indicated support of research involving modification of the mosquito genome to prevent disease transmission in Michigan. Furthermore, our data indicate that seventy seven percent of students with a strong background in science were in favor of the proposed research.
GVSU Students in Favor of Altering the Mosquito Genome to Prevent Disease Transmission
Kirkhof Center KC 72
Genetic modification of organisms is commonplace in research laboratories around the world; however, these organisms are strictly monitored and housed in research facilities. Within the last decade, scientists have produced a genetically altered species of mosquitoes to reduce the transmission of dengue fever in third-world countries. Several controlled field tests of these altered mosquitoes have already taken place in the Cayman Islands, Malaysia, and Brazil. We randomly surveyed 200 GVSU students to estimate whether or not the general student population would support genetic modification of mosquitoes in an attempt to reduce the spread of West Nile Virus in Michigan. Seventy three percent of respondents indicated support of research involving modification of the mosquito genome to prevent disease transmission in Michigan. Furthermore, our data indicate that seventy seven percent of students with a strong background in science were in favor of the proposed research.