Zika Pt 2.

  If you haven't read part 1, you should before continuing here.  I tend to regard cautiously and with some suspicion reports about the damage caused by many of the scientific measures from which mankind has vastly benefited.  Nevertheless, any open-minded scientist will readily admit that most of the scientific  advances that we have benefited from have a downside.  I used to tell my residents that any treatment that has an upside also has a downside and an important part of their role in administering any treatment is to be vigilant to potential for harm.
   Now, to get back on topic an article in 'The Ecologist' an on-line lefty magazine that has focused attention on a number of appropriate issues as well as many that have a political rather than scientific basis.  With regard to the Zika virus, it speculates on a theory that while lacking an evidence based foundation, nevertheless deserves consideration.  
   The article speculates that the  Zika virus may be responsible for the increase in numbers of microcephaly cases.  It goes on to ask how did the virus, which has been around since 1947 and only associated with mild flu-like symptoms learn how to impair the development of human embryos?
    It hypothesizes that this may be due to the engineering of the Aedes Aegypti in order to prevent it from reproducing and thus to become largely eliminated.   Unfortunately, not all the altered A.Aegypti (OX513A) die out and as many as 15% may survive and reproduce with their genetically altered genome.  The question then arises as to whether this genetic modification could have anything to do with Brazil's epidemic of microcephaly.
   Now, genetic engineering involves introducing new genes into target organisms. Transposons, (jumping genes) sequences of DNA are used in the genetic engineering process to introduce the new genes into the target organism. There are several DNA techniques in use and one of the most popular is known as 'piggyBac'. It is very active in inserting itself into genes, often beyond those targeted.  The theory put forth is that these genes may have crossed the barrier to cause the microcephaly outbreak.  To simplify (oversimplify) a DNA sequence can 'jump' into a position where it does not belong and can even replicate itself.  It can also jump across species thus the modified A.Aegypti genes could conceivably jump across to disrupt the fetal development.
   The evidence doesn't support such a theory, but caution demands vigilance in how we protect ourselves from the very scientific advances that have served us so well in the past century. Genetic engineering may be a risky business!