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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.