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Control and Spread of the Zika Virus. Questions about Ethics and Technology. Genetic Engineering Medical Records Vaccines Medical Marijuana Drug use in Sports Smart Drugs Climate Change Alternative Fuels Geoengineering. Social Media, Cell Phones Computer Privacy Robots
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Questions about Ethics and Technology • Genetic Engineering • Medical Records • Vaccines • Medical Marijuana • Drug use in Sports • Smart Drugs • Climate Change • Alternative Fuels • Geoengineering • Social Media, Cell Phones • Computer Privacy • Robots • Video Surveillance • Digital plagiarism (e.g., copying from Wikipedia) • etc…
Example: Zika Virus From CDC Website: • Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. • About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill • most common symptoms …fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache… • illness …usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. • Deaths are rare. • In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil.
Zika Headlines:Tuesday, 4/26/16 • Canada’s first case of sexually-transmitted Zika virus confirmed in OntarioToronto Star • Zika Has Spread to 43 CountriesTime • Zika could spread to Europe: Summer will bring more virus-carrying mosquitoes, global health officials warnDaily Mail • Senate Nears Deal for at Least $1.1 Billion to Fight Zika VirusNew York Times
Example: Zika Virus • From CDC Website: • …reports of congenital microcephaly in babies of motherswho were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. • …it is not known how many of the microcephaly casesare associated with Zika virus infection. [Jan. 2016] • …We know that Zika virus infection during pregnancyis a cause of microcephaly and othersevere fetal brain abnormalities.
Example: Zika Virus • From CDC Website: • Zika virus is a single-stranded RNA virus…transmitted to humans primarily through thebite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. • What should we do?
Discussion • DDT:Widespread spraying with DDT to eradicate mosquito populations • GE Eradication:Release genetically modified male mosquitoes carrying lethal gene which results in early death of offspring • GE Modification:Release genetically modified mosquitoes carrying a gene drive that will be transmitted to all offspring, preventing their ability to carry and/or transmit the virus.