Your Questions About Italy's GMO Mosquito Experiment, Answered
What are some of the leading arguments against this experiment? What happens to other species in the food chain? Isn't developing a vaccine a better way to go?
In February, scientists started releasing genetically engineered mosquitoes in a high-security laboratory in Terni, Italy.
NPR was the only news organization allowed into the lab to witness the first releases. Correspondent Rob Stein reported on the start of the experiment: "Scientists Release Controversial Genetically Modified Mosquitoes In High-Security Lab."
The engineered insects carry a genetic mutation that is lethal to its species. And that could turn out to be a potent weapon in the war against malaria. But as with all genetic modifications, there's a deep concern about unintended consequences.
We asked readers to share their questions about this GMO mosquito experiment. Nearly 300
