Bill Gates and his latest global concern: "What do humans and cows have in common?"
The founder of Microsoft reflects on mosquitoes on his website
Bill Gates , founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, has laid out his latest concern on a global scale. "What do humans and cows have in common?" , he asked on his website. The problem for both, according to the billionaire, is insects , to which he has devoted a reflection on their impact on the planet. As for cows, Bill Gates explained that the screwworm fly is a major threat. Regarding humans, the magnate has insisted at length on mosquitoes .
'Bill Gates: "There are many reasons to hate mosquitoes, but malaria tops the list"'
'The founder of Microsoft has lamented the severe impact mosquitoes have on global health. "There are many reasons to hate mosquitoes, but malaria tops the list" , he commented. Bill Gates has explained that this disease claims 600,000 lives each year, something that can be reduced, he noted, through investment and collaboration among countries. '
Gates has pointed out some of the measures to curb mosquitoes: installing dual-active-ingredient mosquito nets (with two insecticides to overcome mosquito resistance), electric insecticide diffusers , and finally, targeting these insects at the population level . "In 1954, scientists sterilized the males using radiation. They released the sterilized insects into the affected area and, since they could not reproduce, the population disappeared. That was how the screwworm fly was eliminated for the first time," he recalled.
'Bill Gates: "The idea is simple: a mosquito that cannot transmit malaria"'
Bill Gates has defended targeting mosquitoes at the population level to prevent them from carrying diseases. "The idea is simple: a mosquito that cannot transmit malaria," he summarized. The founder of Microsoft stated that scientists in Tanzania have managed to ensure that the species of mosquito that transmits malaria in Africa does not develop the parasite inside it, so that it cannot transmit it: " The mosquitoes would keep flying and fulfilling their role, but they would not be able to transmit malaria . Each time they mated with another mosquito, they would pass on the gene that protects them from the parasite".
Bill Gates has lamented that, in his opinion, collaboration among countries is not adequate to completely eradicate malaria. "Donor governments are cutting health aid," he lamented. His Foundation, he said, is trying to contribute so that the impact of this divestment is smaller. "I continue to advocate for an increase in funding , because it is absurd to put the health of the world's children at risk when we know how to protect them (...). I believe we can eradicate malaria forever . The question is whether the world will decide to make this happen," he concluded.
