I was
listening to NPR last week and a segment came on reporting potential
progress in developing a new mosquito repellent. DEET, which has been
the gold standard since World War II, is relatively expensive for
extensive use in developing countries. While seemingly benign when
absorbed into human skin, it does eat through plastic. Scientists
have been working to find a cheap yet effective alternative and it
seems they may have stumbled on an important finding.
What got
my attention was one of the scientists while describing the
experiments nonchalantly mentions that they luckily had access to
genetically altered fruit flies whose antenna will glow green when
they sense DEET. So, they reasoned-let's expose these flies to a wide
array of substances. If their antenna react, then perhaps this is a
potential mosquito repellent. Turns out extracts of plum, orange and
jasmine did the trick. Cheap and pleasant smelling. Such a deal!
NOW WAIT
JUST A MINUTE!! GENETICALLY ALTERED FRUIT FLIES???
How the
hell did anyone figure out that fruit fly antennae would glow to
begin with, no less glow when exposed to DEET? Who is doing this
stuff?? Who funded it?? What kind of Frankenflies were created when
the experiments...ah... well...didn't turn out as planned?? And what
is PETA gonna say about this??
On one
hand, fascinating. On the other, it just boggles the mind.
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