We could kill all mosquitoes (but should we?)

Would you wipe out mosquitoes if you could?

We've already unintentionally caused thousands of species to go extinct. Now do mosquitoes please.

Yes we absolutely must make mosquitos go extinct.

its interesting to see people not affected by malaria to discuss malaria. i wonder if they would have a different opinion if they lived in a place with malaria and if they had lost close ones to malaria...

Many people often forget that of the 3500 varieties of mosquitoes, only about 7 bite humans. Plus they often make up a tiny portion of the populations in which they live so if we killed off all 7 species it's not necessarily going to cause a catastrophe because there are other species that can take their place. In fact, many that bite humans live in places they aren't even native to, for instance here on the American continent most of the species that spread disease here are non-native, so destroying their populations here would be equivalent to getting rid of an invasive species and therefore little if any negative effect to the natural environment. That said I think we could do trial runs like here in the Americas and see if they work as they are non-native and would actually restore native mosquito populations. In places where they are native, I think we should keep some unaltered in a lab as a backup in case we need to restore the population. But as far as we can tell, the species that bite humans aren't exactly necessary for environments and have very little nutritional value for species there, as they are often an end species on the energy pyramid. However, research should still be done, in case by mistake we end up finding out that like wolfs in Yellowstone these species have a really important place in the ecosystem. Another possibility is that we could modify these species to avoid biting humans. With the number of deaths these species cause I think we should treat them as a threat to ourselves. This wouldn't be the first time we nearly killed off species that are super destructive to humans, the Guinea worm for instance only lives on and eats humans, but is spread sometimes by dogs. This animal's diet is basically us, and as such we have felt very little remorse for destroying it, and its eradication doesn't seem to have any negative effect on the environment that we can observe. So due to the fact, that there are so many other species of mosquitoes, the loss of just the ones that bite us, may or may not play a huge role in the environment as a whole, caution in all things, but I say with so many human lives on the line, we should at least try and look at it as an option and not be so quick to dismiss it. Maybe even try to use it to save human lives.

The damage to the natural environment could not possibly come close to the damage at present controlling these mosquitoes with vast amounts of harmful pesticides that indiscriminately destroy vast numbers of non target insects and other creatures

Yes. Every single biting species. The 99,8% of other species of non-biting mosquitoes are fine.

I live in Vietnam, and both Australia as well. Mosquitos are a literal pain in the butt especially during the summer in Vietnam. Malaria patients can get a nightmare to healthcare workers and basically a disease that can wipe millions of people. Since my home country is humid, we get problems of mosquitos flying around and stealing our blood, let alone bringing dengue, and malaria to the table. I would say, they suck a lot, they are pesky, and I would rather want them gone. I also agree for any means of taking out that little blood sucking insect, but not costing the planet at least.

We eliminated the smallpox viruses and are on the doorstep of eliminating dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease). If eliminating cruel diseases helps humans live better lives, I’m all for it. Who knows… maybe some of the people saved will work hard at improving the environment, making this a positive for the ecosystem too.

If you live in the north, in the summer, the amount of mosquitoes can be unbelievably overwhelming. They are so abundant here in Finland, that they truly ruin the whole summer in some locations. You cannot step outside your house without considerable protection; try working outside heavy physical labour in summer heat in full body covering gear... Mosquitoes in your face, in your ear, sucking away till the last drop of tear. I say make them go away! (Ánd dont ruin our planet whilst doing it)

I think the gene modification to wipe out mosquitos is a brilliant idea. It's so pathetic that the guy who is campaigning against this to 'save genetic seeds' , lives in the comfort of Europe. He should be try living in a tropical country, let alone in poor parts of Africa

Yes. We should. If Malaria was still a problem in the US, we would have done it years ago

1:09 mosquito most dangerous animal 2:12 anopoli malaria carrying 4:15 crispr 4:55 gene drive 6:50 potential containment issue

I went to Iceland at the end of June, there aren’t any mosquitos there. It was wonderful.

In Singapore, we put bacteria in male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and when they mate with female mosquito, they would not have any children, helping stop dengue and zika. So far it is effective,but dengue and Zika cases are still rising in Singapore.

I would be ready to accept the consequences for the death of all mosquitos. And as far as I know, mosquitos have a very limited impact of the food chain. Birds are the only main predator for them, but they only make up 2% of the diet.

I despise mosquitoes with a passion.

People who haven’t suffered from malaria should not decide if others should suffer

How about creating protected populations of these and other deadly creatures. Something like seed banks. If their annihilation in the wild causes catastrophic results then they can be reintroduced or alternative methods found to alleviate the negative consequences.

I wait for every friday for your upload, thanks a bunch DW planet A team ❤️