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Controlling Zika Virus Spread: Ethics and Technology

Explore ethical questions and technological solutions in combating the Zika virus. Learn about genetic engineering, medical records, vaccines, and more to address this global health concern effectively.

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Controlling Zika Virus Spread: Ethics and Technology

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  1. Control and Spread of the Zika Virus

  2. 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…

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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?

  7. 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.

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