Should We Eradicate Mosquitos?

[bennyboy]

I'm willing to risk environmental catastrophe in order to wipe mosquitoes off the face of the planet. At least while our forests burn or whatever, we can say, "Yeah. . . but at least I'm not fucking itchy!"

[account_inactive]

Environmental catastrophe...

Fucking lol

[paulpablo]

The consequences would be a million or so extra human beings and a species of animal which is part of the ecosystem removed.

I'd guess no, but I'd have to see what some ecologists or environmental experts say.

I wouldn't listen to the scientists who are trying to come up with ways to eradicate them if it would be ok to eradicate them, it needs a more objective opinion that's free of ulterior motive.

[Homeless Nutter]

I'm willing to risk environmental catastrophe in order to wipe mosquitoes off the face of the planet.  At least while our forests burn or whatever, we can say, "Yeah. . . but at least I'm not fucking itchy!"

"Itchy"? Mosquitoes cause way more deaths per year, than all other animals combined. Annually, there are between 700k and 1 million deaths from disease spread by them.  On top of that, over 200 million cases of malaria per year are an enormous strain on medical infrastructure in developing countries, as well as loss of productivity, contributing to poverty. Not to mention, that relentless swarms of mosquitoes in some parts of the world are torturous to humans and livestock, even causing deaths of cattle on pastures.

Even if we're able to somehow contain malaria, without resorting to extermination of certain species of mosquitoes - there is no way to stop some future disease from using them as carriers. Hell - they might be used by humans one day as a biological weapon...

 I'm not saying that we should exterminate mosquitoes - as there surely would be environmental consequences, even if an actual "catastrophe" seems unlikely (you see - mosquitoes don't really put out forest fires much) - but we should at least seriously consider the option. It's easy to demean other people's suffering, when all you have to worry about is an "itch" once in a while...

[Edwardo Piet]

I think all mosquitoes should be murdered to death.

[Fake Messiah]

My personal opinion would be to kill those that bite humans because they do cause some really nasty diseases and for those that fear that will lead to too many humans well then we also need to take off stigma off contraceptives.

Humans are now eradicating elephants, gorillas, rhinos among others because they live above oil fields. I watched few years ago documentary called "Virunga" where some oil guy is telling "Why shouldn't we kill off gorillas? They're just stupid monkeys."

And yet when it comes to question of eradicating mosquitoes there is sudden pour of humanity over them. So I will make an angry remark: maybe somebody is just making too much money on their existence (like perhaps Bill Gates).

[Seraphina]

I'm willing to risk environmental catastrophe in order to wipe mosquitoes off the face of the planet.  At least while our forests burn or whatever, we can say, "Yeah. . . but at least I'm not fucking itchy!"

The problem is not itchy mosquito bites, it's deadly blood-borne diseases that mosquitos transmit. I've seen it first-hand with my dad - these illnesses are no laughing matter.

[Aegon]

I don't even care if there would be negative effects. I want to fry the motherfuckers

[Seraphina]

My personal opinion would be to kill those that bite humans because they do cause some really nasty diseases and for those that fear that will lead to too many humans well then we also need to take off stigma off contraceptives.

Humans are now eradicating elephants, gorillas, rhinos among others because they live above oil fields. I watched few years ago documentary called "Virunga" where some oil guy is telling "Why shouldn't we kill off gorillas? They're just stupid monkeys."

And yet when it comes to question of eradicating mosquitoes there is sudden pour of humanity over them. So I will make an angry remark: maybe somebody is just making too much money on their existence (like perhaps Bill Gates).

Bold mine.
That's the thing - we humans suck in a big way sometimes. So while I think eradicating the mosquitos species that carry diseases is a good idea, it's also a good idea to put some thought into it first.
Bill Gates will be fine either way - he can make money from the companies that are developing mosquito gene-editing tech instead. 

[Angrboda]

So what do you think? Get rid of mosquito species that spread disease? If we did, would there be any unintended consequences? Do the benefits of eradication outweigh the risks?

From the impact studies that attempt to model the effect of eradication of those particular species..it seems as though no person..and no part of "nature" would notice their disappearance.  That the consequences, such as they are, are intended...not unintended.  I try to kill any mosquitos on my property with far less rigorous research behind that compulsion...personally.

Do you have an example of such a study?