How genetically modified mice could save a Massachusetts vacation town from a disease outbreak
Genetically modified mice could help prevent Lyme disease in Nantucket
- Scientists on Nantucket are proposing to genetically modify mice to combat Lyme disease, which affects 15% of the island's population.
- The plan involves engineering wild mice, the main carriers of Lyme bacteria, to be immune to the disease.
- These immune mice would be released onto the island, aiming to reduce the population of mice capable of spreading Lyme to ticks.
- Kevin Esvelt of MIT leads the nine-year research effort, which involves injecting mice with a gene for an antibody.
- The initiative requires approval from Nantucket locals and regulatory bodies before a trial release can proceed on a private island.