Ethical dilemma: Should we eradicate mosquitoes entirely? - Talya Hackett episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 20, 2026 · 7 MIN

Ethical dilemma: Should we eradicate mosquitoes entirely? - Talya Hackett

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Explore how the technology of gene drives could lead to the eradication of mosquitoes and what that could mean for our ecosystems.--Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths every year than any other animal, but very few of the 3,500 mosquito species actually transmit deadly diseases to humans. Scientists have been conducting experiments using engineered technologies called gene drives that could theoretically get rid of the most lethal mosquitoes. So, should we eradicate these pesky insects? Talya Hackett investigates.Lesson by Talya Hackett, directed by Luísa M H Copetti, Hype CG.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-we-get-rid-of-mosquitoes-talya-hackettDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-we-get-rid-of-mosquitoes-talya-hackett#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.hype.cg and https://www.luisacopetti.com.br----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Po Foon Kwong, Boffin, Jesse Jurman, Scott Markley, Elija Peterson, Ovidiu Mrd, paul g mohney, Steven Razey, Nathan Giusti, Helen Lee, Anthony Benedict, Karthik Balsubramanian, Annastasshia Ames, Amy Lopez, Vinh-Thuy Nguyen, Liz Candee, Ugur Doga Sezgin, Karmi Nguyen, John C. Vesey, Yelena Baykova, Nick Johnson, Carlos H. Costa, Jennifer Kurkoski, Ryan B Harvey, Akinola Emmanuel, Jose Arcadio Valdes Franco, Sebastiaan Vleugels, Karl Laius, JY Kang, Abhishek Goel, Heidi Stolt, Nicole Sund, Karlee Finch, Mario Mejia, Denise A Pitts, Doug Henry, Keven Webb, Mihai Sandu, Deepak Iyer, Javid Gozalov, Kyanta Yap, Rebecca Reineke, William Biersdorf, Patricia Alves Panagides, Yvette Mocete, Cyrus Garay, Samuel Barbas, LadyGeek, Marin Kovachev and Penelope Misquitta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore how the technology of gene drives could lead to the eradication of mosquitoes and what that could mean for our ecosystems.--Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths every year than any other animal, but very few of the 3,500 mosquito species actually transmit deadly diseases to humans. Scientists have been conducting experiments using engineered technologies called gene drives that could theoretically get rid of the most lethal mosquitoes. So, should we eradicate these pesky insects? Talya Hackett investigates.Lesson by Talya Hackett, directed by Luísa M H Copetti, Hype CG.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-we-get-rid-of-mosquitoes-talya-hackettDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/ethical-dilemma-should-we-get-rid-of-mosquitoes-talya-hackett#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.hype.cg and https://www.luisacopetti.com.br----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Po Foon Kwong, Boffin, Jesse Jurman, Scott Markley, Elija Peterson, Ovidiu Mrd, paul g mohney, Steven Razey, Nathan Giusti, Helen Lee, Anthony Benedict, Karthik Balsubramanian, Annastasshia Ames, Amy Lopez, Vinh-Thuy Nguyen, Liz Candee, Ugur Doga Sezgin, Karmi Nguyen, John C. Vesey, Yelena Baykova, Nick Johnson, Carlos H. Costa, Jennifer Kurkoski, Ryan B Harvey, Akinola Emmanuel, Jose Arcadio Valdes Franco, Sebastiaan Vleugels, Karl Laius, JY Kang, Abhishek Goel, Heidi Stolt, Nicole Sund, Karlee Finch, Mario Mejia, Denise A Pitts, Doug Henry, Keven Webb, Mihai Sandu, Deepak Iyer, Javid Gozalov, Kyanta Yap, Rebecca Reineke, William Biersdorf, Patricia Alves Panagides, Yvette Mocete, Cyrus Garay, Samuel Barbas, LadyGeek, Marin Kovachev and Penelope Misquitta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Ethical dilemma: Should we eradicate mosquitoes entirely? - Talya Hackett

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This episode was published on June 20, 2026.

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Explore how the technology of gene drives could lead to the eradication of mosquitoes and what that could mean for our ecosystems.--Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths every year than any other animal, but very few of the 3,500 mosquito...

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