Task
As the Zika virus, spread by mosquitos, has invaded the United States, currently affecting 53 people in South Carolina, it is important to understand how the Zika virus spreads within humans and create prevention methods to stop the spreading of Zika.
From research, we understand that Malaria, Dengue Fever, and West Nile, also spread by mosquitos. Malaria alone has killed over 800,000 people in West Africa as of 2000. In order to stop the spread of Malaria, Bed Nets have been introduced to West Africa to prevent mosquitos from biting people and spreading Malaria. Since the introduction of Bed Nets the death rate has decreased by 400,000 in 2015.
In order to help prevent a virus like Zika from spreading in our backyard we must take preventive measures. In this webquest you will obtain, evaluate and communicate information on how biotechnology (including gel electrophoresis, plasmid-based transformation and DNA fingerprinting) may be used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, and forensic science to help aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment related to Zika virus infection. In doing so you will gather evidence to use in your final presentation for your Zika Public Service Announcement.