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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Environment
Petra Stock

Male mosquitoes to be genetically engineered to poison females with semen in Australian research

Close-up of a mosquito engorged with blood it is sucking from a  human
The new control method could quickly suppress outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. Photograph: Scott Smith/Getty Images

Toxic male mosquitoes will poison females with their semen in a new population control method developed by Australian researchers.

The method involves genetically engineering males to produce spider and sea anemone venom proteins, which they inject into females during mating, reducing their lifespan.

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