Australian scientists have pioneered a potential new method for controlling tropical disease spread by genetically engineering mosquitoes with toxic semen. The "toxic male technique" works by breeding mosquitoes that express venomous proteins in their semen, which kills female mosquitoes after mating. Since only female mosquitoes bite and spread diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, this method targets them while leaving beneficial species unharmed.

The method was first tested on fruit flies, where female flies mating with "toxic" males showed a drastically reduced lifespan. The next step for researchers is to test the technique in mosquitoes. The mosquitoes would be genetically modified to release toxic semen in the wild through conditional expression techniques, allowing for precise control of gene activation.

While genetic engineering has been used previously to control mosquito populations, such as through sterile males, the new technique could be even more effective by directly killing biting females, according to computer models. The research has been published in Nature Communications and is seen as a potential breakthrough for sustainable pest control and healthier communities.