What are the consequences of genetically altering ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes to control their populations?

[kapone32]

That's pretty debatable when you consider, as I mentioned above, we are already in a major largely human-driven extinction event.

I am going to give you 2 examples that belie that narrative.

Chernobyl: Is in the news now because of the War. There was an accident there in the 80s and no one can live within a 600 mile radius of the site. They were amazed that not only did the animals not show a large radiation effect but species that had been considered extinct for over 100 years have been seen in the forests and cities surrounding the site. Including the European Horse, flourishing.

Where I live: When people used to go to work there was a building beside my work place that had cordoned off about 1/3 of their parking lot. They relegated the smokers to that area whre I work and that are was a natural forest on the other side of the fence that you could see some of the parking lot but not much. One day there was a clutch of Garter snakes sunning beside the fence. We had a weather event (I live beside a creek) and there was mass flooding in my area. The city dug a 20 meter retrofit of the creek. They put all of the dirt they dug up in 2 piles. Those 2 piles have the exact same fauna as that spot behind my workplace. Now what has that done, one day (morning) I was going to the bench to take a mind trip to Saturn and as I got to the path a Rabbit was booking it when I looked a Coyote was chasing the rabbit with another rabbit in it's mouth.

I will give you another one just for the sake of Good news should be spread. Where I live we have banned the use of herbicides and pesticides. That has allowed the eggs of Raptor birds to make it. When I go to the bus to get my Daughter I regularly see 2 Hawks hunting. One is much more proficient than the other and usually has to hop street light tops to enjoy the meal it catches as the other loves to steal. One day one of the Hawks landed on a fence post by the path I described and sat there for about 15 minutes, the way that people were amazed was inspiring, no one was not in awe of the majesty of that animal. This is something that we did for good. Now the squirrels are not as bold as before and the racoons are persona non grata. Thankfully even Skunks are not as bold as before. Owls would be cool to hear next.

Earth is so amazing, I was blown away when I learned about cold Water corals or that salmon, trout and other fish mass migrate on every river connected to the Ocean. The things they discovered in the Mountain Forests of Columbia especially (since the Human acrimony has subsided) are mind blowing like a bird that plays it's wings like a violin to call a mate.

 

[KLiKzg]

Florida should be spending that money on a much harder effort at curtailing the Invasive species than controlling pests. If you don't like the things that live in the Swamp. move.

Or just get more bats from China...it is far better to cultivate bats on Florida & wipe out the mosquitos, then Chinese to eat them...right?!

 

[the54thvoid]

Chernobyl: Is in the news now because of the War. There was an accident there in the 80s and no one can live within a 600 mile radius of the site. They were amazed that not only did the animals not show a large radiation effect but species that had been considered extinct for over 100 years have been seen in the forests and cities surrounding the site. Including the European Horse, flourishing.

Humans live well within 600 miles of the plant. The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, is 94 miles away by car. Even during the event, only towns within 30km were evacuated, though this was extended but not by anywhere near hundreds of miles.

As for animals that were extinct, actual research does not show them returning. Species have been reintroduced (in 1998 horses, I think, were brought into the reserve).

Regardless, the real reasons the animals are doing better than expected (the researchers agree on this), is that the humans have mostly gone. I mean, we saw this during Covid in places that observed lock downs. In one Welsh village, the goats came down from the mountains and roamed the streets.

It would be an interesting thing though to monitor the isotopes in the blood of ticks and fleas, as they feast on all the animals in the zone.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

I am going to give you 2 examples that belie that narrative.

Chernobyl: Is in the news now because of the War. There was an accident there in the 80s and no one can live within a 600 mile radius of the site. They were amazed that not only did the animals not show a large radiation effect but species that had been considered extinct for over 100 years have been seen in the forests and cities surrounding the site. Including the European Horse, flourishing.

Where I live: When people used to go to work there was a building beside my work place that had cordoned off about 1/3 of their parking lot. They relegated the smokers to that area whre I work and that are was a natural forest on the other side of the fence that you could see some of the parking lot but not much. One day there was a clutch of Garter snakes sunning beside the fence. We had a weather event (I live beside a creek) and there was mass flooding in my area. The city dug a 20 meter retrofit of the creek. They put all of the dirt they dug up in 2 piles. Those 2 piles have the exact same fauna as that spot behind my workplace. Now what has that done, one day (morning) I was going to the bench to take a mind trip to Saturn and as I got to the path a Rabbit was booking it when I looked a Coyote was chasing the rabbit with another rabbit in it's mouth.

I will give you another one just for the sake of Good news should be spread. Where I live we have banned the use of herbicides and pesticides. That has allowed the eggs of Raptor birds to make it. When I go to the bus to get my Daughter I regularly see 2 Hawks hunting. One is much more proficient than the other and usually has to hop street light tops to enjoy the meal it catches as the other loves to steal. One day one of the Hawks landed on a fence post by the path I described and sat there for about 15 minutes, the way that people were amazed was inspiring, no one was not in awe of the majesty of that animal. This is something that we did for good. Now the squirrels are not as bold as before and the racoons are persona non grata. Thankfully even Skunks are not as bold as before. Owls would be cool to hear next.

Earth is so amazing, I was blown away when I learned about cold Water corals or that salmon, trout and other fish mass migrate on every river connected to the Ocean. The things they discovered in the Mountain Forests of Columbia especially (since the Human acrimony has subsided) are mind blowing like a bird that plays it's wings like a violin to call a mate.

Just look at the Brazilian rain forest, it is what it is because humans cultivated it then died out.
The earth's fine, we might not be.

 

[claes]

Just look at the Brazilian rain forest, it is what it is because humans cultivated it then died out.

Huh? Last I checked the Amazon is experiencing rapid deforestation, largely due to human intervention?

 

[R-T-B]

Chernobyl: Is in the news now because of the War. There was an accident there in the 80s and no one can live within a 600 mile radius of the site. They were amazed that not only did the animals not show a large radiation effect but species that had been considered extinct for over 100 years have been seen in the forests and cities surrounding the site. Including the European Horse, flourishing.

This in no way debates or disputes the extinction event going on from human influences. It just shows animals (and yes, humans) can live in radiation without getting utterly wiped out. Exact impacts unknown. Also the animals at chernobyl are flourishing largely because humans are mostly gone.

I've been to very near Chernobyl as part of a research project. and no one except maybe alarmists were saying that the animals there would die enmasse for DECADES TO COME. Most of that happened immediately after the release. Like the red forest, which is still very dead. The rest just get awesome cancers.

That example is so bad I stopped reading, tbh.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Huh? Last I checked the Amazon is experiencing rapid deforestation, largely due to human intervention?

Yes your right, but so was I repopulation sucks apparently.

 

[Space Lynx]

Florida should be spending that money on a much harder effort at curtailing the Invasive species than controlling pests. If you don't like the things that live in the Swamp. move.

My latest feelings on it are that when humanity messes with experimental cutting edge science, more often than not they don't account for all variables. So my latest position is probably leave it all alone... but alas it doesn't matter anymore since they have already released thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes in the wild.

Personally, I think ticks are much more dangerous than mosquitoes, ticks are skyrocketing in number alongside various diseases like Lyme disease in the American North Eastern states. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to go hiking in that region of that world. Not until the tick problem is solved anyway, it never used to be this bad based on my research.

 

[KLiKzg]

My latest feelings on it are that when humanity messes with experimental cutting edge science, more often than not they don't account for all variables. So my latest position is probably leave it all alone... but alas it doesn't matter anymore since they have already released thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes in the wild.

Personally, I think ticks are much more dangerous than mosquitoes, ticks are skyrocketing in number alongside various diseases like Lyme disease in the American North Eastern states. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to go hiking in that region of that world. Not until the tick problem is solved anyway, it never used to be this bad based on my research.

Well, then help find it...the cure I mean.
About the project, that included lyme disease cure search.

Link for joining is here.

 

[Space Lynx]

Well, then help find it...the cure I mean.
About the project, that included lyme disease cure search.

Link for joining is here.

They already have a cure for Lyme disease prevention, the vaccine is successful and trials are almost done I believe I read recently.

Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Phase 3 Trial to Begin - Pfizer Investor Insights

Summer in the Northeast is vacation season, when city dwellers flee the heat in search of cooler climes. Increasingly, it’s also the season for Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that afflicts an estimated 476,000 people in the U.S.[1] and another 130,000 in Europe each year.[2] Children aged...

insights.pfizer.com

 

[KLiKzg]

They already have a cure for Lyme disease prevention, the vaccine is successful and trials are almost done I believe I read recently.

Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Phase 3 Trial to Begin - Pfizer Investor Insights

Summer in the Northeast is vacation season, when city dwellers flee the heat in search of cooler climes. Increasingly, it’s also the season for Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that afflicts an estimated 476,000 people in the U.S.[1] and another 130,000 in Europe each year.[2] Children aged...

insights.pfizer.com

This might also be from that research...as HPF project was finished some 10+ years ago & free data for use.

 

[Space Lynx]

Why Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are on the rise

The complex interplay of ticks, their habitats and hosts — along with changes in land use and climate — may be enabling the spread of the pathogens they carry.

www.pbs.org

I didn't know this, but apparently the Lone Star tick has made it's way into Canada. There have also been reported cases of it in Kentucky. My understanding is that if you get bit by one you will slowly lose your ability to eat red meat, the meat becomes an allergy to you. Absolutely wild.

Honestly, I find it very troubling how quickly mother nature could destroy us.

I was also reading on the CDC that Lyme Disease has doubled from tick bites since 2020... that's quite interesting... be careful when hiking in wooded areas everyone!

 

[R-T-B]

Why Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are on the rise

The complex interplay of ticks, their habitats and hosts — along with changes in land use and climate — may be enabling the spread of the pathogens they carry.

www.pbs.org

I didn't know this, but apparently the Lone Star tick has made it's way into Canada. There have also been reported cases of it in Kentucky. My understanding is that if you get bit by one you will slowly lose your ability to eat red meat, the meat becomes an allergy to you. Absolutely wild.

Honestly, I find it very troubling how quickly mother nature could destroy us.

I was also reading on the CDC that Lyme Disease has doubled from tick bites since 2020... that's quite interesting... be careful when hiking in wooded areas everyone!

Tick populations are absolutely exploding worldwide. I'd say why, but I'd rather not invoke words that some consider political.

Let's just say it's tied to global temps.

 

[Space Lynx]

Tick populations are absolutely exploding worldwide. I'd say why, but I'd rather not invoke words that some consider political.

Let's just say it's tied to global temps.

yeah same with fungi

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/deadly-fungi-are-the-newest-emerging-microbe-threat-all-over-the-world/

mother nature has her way of balancing herself - when a species becomes too stupid. it's quite beautiful in a way.


the future is going to be interesting, that is for sure.

 

[gQx]

I'm worried about the good for enviroment "plastic eating bacterias" now. what if they spread to general population imagine the outcome

 

[Aquinus]

Tick populations are absolutely exploding worldwide. I'd say why, but I'd rather not invoke words that some consider political.

Let's just say it's tied to global temps.

Tick populations here in New Hampshire are usually dictated by the weather over the winter. Certain conditions will significantly reduce numbers and others will cause them to thrive. Honestly, one of the best defenses against something like a native pest is a native predator. For example, if wild turkey have more to eat, maybe their numbers will increase? Then this statement would hold true (sans the stupidity bit.)

mother nature has her way of balancing herself

 

[Ferrum Master]

Tick populations here in New Hampshire are usually dictated by the weather over the winter. Certain conditions will significantly reduce numbers and others will cause them to thrive. Honestly, one of the best defenses against something like a native pest is a native predator. For example, if wild turkey have more to eat, maybe their numbers will increase? Then this statement would hold true (sans the stupidity bit.)

Those bit*** have increased at such amounts that those jump on you in city parks. Would you put some wild turkeys in city center parks? Well okay we have some rouge bandit beavers there too, but that's not the case.

Pretty much we are the culprit... thus regulation is stil is our responsibility now. I see biogenetic warfare as a plausible measure here. This one being rare exception. Ofc there would be plan B. Making them virally safe ie cure them, but that's virtually impossible due to politics and geography.

 

[KLiKzg]

I'm worried about the good for enviroment "plastic eating bacterias" now. what if they spread to general population imagine the outcome

You should meme this with Giorgio A. Tsoukalos in photo.

 

[Space Lynx]

its really strange, almost August and I still have not seen or been bitten by a single mosquito, and usually they swarm me every summer. honestly I'd be happy about it if I wasn't so damn worried the world was collapsing.

i think i did see a single one flying around on July 4th, but it never got me. I did see my first grasshopper in my backyard for the first time in like a decade... so maybe there is still some hope... lightning bugs are not as many as there used to be either. really sad what is happening... we keep destroying ecosystem after ecosystem. I remember seeing a homeless fox a few years ago after the last wildlands were plowed over to make way for a new car wash...

humans... suck.

 

[Space Lynx]

No, Alabama cases of EEE virus aren’t linked to Bill Gates or Oxitec’s modified mosquitoes

THE FACTS: A flurry of claims in recent months have tried to baselessly blame Microsoft co-founder Gates for spreading diseases through projects that his foundation has financed.

apnews.com

It's also a good thing we have the Associated Press to fact check matters such as this. Though I expect this is less human accusation and more bots and disinformation type stuff... we live in strange times, that is for sure. Must always have your guard up and ask questions.

Side note, got bit my first mosquito two days ago, right before Fall starts... so bizarre it took this long to get bit.

 

[KrazyT]

My understanding is that if you get bit by one you will slowly lose your ability to eat red meat, the meat becomes an allergy to you. Absolutely wild.

Ah, I undertand the Vegan movement now !

 

[Space Lynx]

Ah, I undertand the Vegan movement now !

Yeah, glad I don't live in an area with ticks... that sounds horrible. I'm craving a steak lately too, might get one tomorrow.

I hope the scientists eliminate ticks someday, I don't think they will though

 

[joemama]

It will be impossible to eliminate small insects like ticks, people might be able to eliminate them locally but the remaining ones will keep reproducing and come back

 

[the54thvoid]

I hope the scientists eliminate ticks someday, I don't think they will though

Food source for other critters. It'd be better that science develops medicine to counter tick-borne disease.

 

[Space Lynx]

Food source for other critters. It'd be better that science develops medicine to counter tick-borne disease.

yeah true, from what I understand a phase 3 trial of a vaccine is just finishing in Finland

https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-valneva-initiate-phase-3-study-lyme-disease#:~:text=The%20randomized%2C%20placebo%2Dcontrolled%2C,Sweden%20and%20the%20United%20States.

from the link:

The randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 VALOR study is planned to enroll approximately 6,000 participants 5 years of age and older. The study is being conducted at up to 50 sites located in areas where Lyme disease is highly endemic, including Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United States.

and an updated article:

Valneva's Lyme disease vaccine candidate yields promising early results

The vaccine candidate was safe and produced a strong but waning immune response against the six most common strains of the Borrelia burgdorferi.

www.cidrap.umn.edu

although annual VLA15 boosters would be required to maintain protection against Lyme disease, the vaccine

so the vaccine works, but not a slam dunk as you will need a booster every year. damn that sucks, but if i lived in the NorthEast USA I would 100% be trying to get this vaccine.

lyme disease is different than other diseases ticks give though... so seems like you might need multiple shots...