Flying syringe

Flying syringe is a phrase that is used to refer to proposed, but not yet created, genetically modified mosquitoes that inject vaccines into people when they bite them.^[1]

History

In 2008 the Gates Foundation awarded $100,000 to Hiroyuki Matsuoka of Jichi Medical University in Japan to do research on them, with a condition that any discoveries that were funded by the grant must be made available at affordable prices in the developing world. If Matsuoka proves that his idea has merit, he will be eligible for an additional $1 million of funding. The Washington Post referred to flying syringes as a "bold idea".^[2]

References

1. Rocket Scientists Shoot Down Mosquitoes With Lasers, Wall St. Journal, March 14, 2009
2. Flying Syringes and Other Bold Ideas, The Washington Post, October 23, 2008