A dead Aedes aegypti mosquito is seen at a laboratory of biotech company Wolbito do Brasil, in Curitiba, Parana state, Brazil on March 19, 2026 (Photo | AFP)
Quick Take

Quick Take | Battle of bugs

It's an all out war declaration on mosquitoes declaration by Big Tech

Express News Service

Alphabet's Verily’s plans to release 64 million mosquitoes across California and Florida sounds like the plot of a futuristic thriller. The twist? These are non-biting male mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia, a bacterium that prevents uninfected females from producing offspring, gradually lowering disease-spreading populations. Scientists see it as a clever alternative to chemical insecticides. If successful, fewer mosquitoes could mean fewer cases of West Nile virus and other illnesses. But large-scale biological interventions deserve careful public debate and rigorous oversight. The bigger issue may be who gets to shape such experiments. As technology giants expand into life sciences, society should welcome innovation while remaining wary of concentrated corporate influence over public health and the environment.

Trump threatens to 'blow hell out of' Iran if negotiations fail, calls for more 'surgical strikes' in Lebanon

23 parties set to attend INDIA bloc's 'janbandhan' meeting as Congress says alliance remains united

Three parked Air India aircraft hit by ground equipment due to sudden storm at Delhi airport

JMM, Congress resolve tensions; to contest one seat each in upcoming Rajya Sabha elections

'If he can stop war, can't he stop paper leak?': CJP's Dipke says PM Modi must ensure Pradhan resigns

SCROLL FOR NEXT