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Ethical dilemma: Should we get rid of mosquitoes? - Talya Hackett

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  • 2,214 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

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Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths every year than any other animal, but very few of the 3,500 mosquito species actually transmit deadly diseases to humans. Scientists have been conducting experiments using engineered technologies called gene drives that could theoretically get rid of the most lethal mosquitoes. So, should we eradicate these pesky insects? Talya Hackett investigates.


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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Talya Hackett
  • Director Luísa Holanda, Hype CG
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Luísa Holanda
  • Animator Murilo Jardim
  • Art Director Luísa Holanda
  • Music Gabriel Maia
  • Sound Designer Gabriel Maia
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Cella Wright
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Paige Downie
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Do you want to learn more about gene drive mosquitoes and the potential consequences to their release? You can follow the ongoing research by Target Malaria, a not-for-profit research consortium working on exactly this, and also explore factsheets and articles about these topics and beyond. If you’re curious about how scientists are using DNA to research to potential consequences to suppressing the population of mosquitoes that transmit the malaria plasmodium, check out this article and video. And to learn more about mosquitoes, malaria, and developing new tools to control them both, you can watch this TED talk and this Grand Challenges talk. 

And if you just want to have a bit of fun, read through this comic and have a go at this colouring book.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Talya Hackett
  • Director Luísa Holanda, Hype CG
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Luísa Holanda
  • Animator Murilo Jardim
  • Art Director Luísa Holanda
  • Music Gabriel Maia
  • Sound Designer Gabriel Maia
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Anna Bechtol
  • Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Cella Wright
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Paige Downie

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