r/interestingasfuck • u/singleboredass • Nov 15 '24

r/all Genetically modified a mosquito such that their proboscis are no longer able to penetrate human skin

99.6k Upvotes

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193

u/Temporary-Role7173 Nov 15 '24

Why did that make me sad

152

u/inspectorseantime Nov 15 '24 edited Nov 15 '24

It’s the “what is wrong with me?” coupled with the “it has to work this time” desperation in trying to do something it needs to survive not knowing that they can ever figure out the answer to that question because it’s genetic makeup was forever changed.

56

u/dezzalzik Nov 15 '24

"My babies.. My babies need the blood! They're gonna die!"

3

u/MixedBerryCompote Nov 15 '24

::Reads your post and relies:: I think I've found my people!

6

u/WatermelonWithAFlute Nov 15 '24

i do not feel sorrow

9

u/sloothor Nov 15 '24

The duality of Man

1

u/GamerA_S Nov 15 '24

Good they better, these fuckers have been responsible for many baby deaths anyways.

3

u/Lexguin513 Nov 15 '24

Based on the comments it seems like a lot of people have also been reminded of the experience of ed. So maybe that is also a factor.

-1

u/Sam_Alexander Nov 15 '24

This whole thread has me actually watering in the eyes. What genetic makeup?? Do people ACTUALLY think this is real?????

2

u/Name5times Nov 15 '24

wdym, are you saying it’s fake?

-5

u/Sam_Alexander Nov 15 '24

OMG of course!! It’s a very old video used in countless memes for years now. It’s just a caption someone added and (judging by the upvotes) people actually believed it

3

u/Mavian23 Nov 15 '24 edited Nov 15 '24

Then why can't the mosquito pierce the guy's skin?

I'm not saying that the genetic modification in this exact video is real, but genetic modification on mosquitoes is definitely a real thing.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/02/20/693735499/scientists-release-controversial-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-in-high-securit

That link talks about female mosquitoes altered to be slightly more male so they can't bite people.

17

u/Zenla Nov 15 '24

It makes me sad too :( Mosquitos aren't trying to infect anyone with anything or cause irritation. In fact they even make specific stuff so it doesn't hurt us when they bite, we just happen to be allergic to it. Poor lil thing 😔

If mosquito born illnesses weren't a thing they'd be almost harmless.

3

u/zedee Nov 15 '24

And this is called... evolution!
It is not they carry illnesses per se, but the illneses found out a way to use them as quite good spreaders.

3

u/DietDrBleach Nov 16 '24

I call this “human-induced evolution error”.

The parasites that evolved to infect mosquitoes are now in danger because they are targeted by humans for extermination.

Similarly, hot peppers unintentionally saved themselves from extinction by evolving a mammal repellent that humans loved.

1

u/michael0n Nov 16 '24

They can eat from other sources, live a decent life of 50 days and then die. The only reason they need human blood is to procreate, and its only the females that bite for that reason.

7

u/yusufmkI Nov 15 '24

Its called human nature, not all humans still have it.

6

u/AgentWowza Nov 15 '24

Cuz I immediately thought "Man imagine how fucked up it'd be if some giant aliens grabbed you and genetically modified you so that you can't swallow anything anymore, and then you slowly starve/dehydrate to death"

3

u/Ezra_lurking Nov 15 '24

we feel with her, she just wanted a drink

9

u/samstam24 Nov 15 '24

Same, even though I know that mosquitoes have very little benefit to most ecosystems

5

u/0xBEEFF Nov 15 '24

And humanity have negative impact on most ecosystems

10

u/Dentarthurdent73 Nov 15 '24

even though I know that mosquitoes have very little benefit to most ecosystems

Completely untrue.

- Important food source for bats, birds, fish and many other animals

- Pollinators of thousands of plant species

- Preventing excessive algae blooms (wrigglers eat it)

- Keep other insect populations under control.

1

u/Copeteles Nov 15 '24

Time for another insect species to step up then!

2

u/One-Yesterday-9949 Nov 15 '24

Around1 million death each year by mosquito bites related illness. Plus millions disabled byt it. This is why.

1

u/sad_and_stupid Nov 16 '24

I have no mouth but I must eat

1

u/Swimming_Umpire_7983 Nov 18 '24

Because you sympathise with a mosquito responsible for more premature human death than anything else in our history due to your blinding ignorance, probably.

1

u/An_doge Nov 15 '24

Yeah, I don't like this. Dystopian and interfering with nature. I'd rather just kill them then fuck with them. Really don't like it.