Scientists engineer genes of mosquitoes to kill their offspring

Yellow fever viruses can possibly be prevented due to genetically engineered mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are meant to pass a lethal gene to their offspring, killing them before they reach adulthood. Oxitec is a British biotechnology company that began this development of mosquitoes to prevent diseases worldwide. They are already seeing signs of success since the genetically engineered males accounted for 16 percent of the overall male population in the test zone, and the lethal gene was found in close to10 percent of larvae. They hope to continue showing progress with these mosquitoes. 

Butterfly survey records 140 species

A recent survey proved the existence of 140 species of butterflies. The Ferns Naturalists Society, an environment organization, was surprised to discover 17 species that were previously unknown. They began a  three-day survey at three locations under the division at Brahmagiri, Makkimala, and Kunjome. The researchers came to a conclusion that butterflies are at a great habitat since they are able to record the existence of many species.

Can an Animal Be a "Slave"?

Animals are now considered slaves since they are being held against their will. According to PETA, an animal rights organization, the thirteenth amendment is being violated and they use whales to support their argument. They began a lawsuit against Sea World for keeping and forcing killer whales to perform. They also state that this amendment never says it refers only to humans and therefore animals such as the whale have rights as well. Some people believe this organization is only ridiculing itself by doing this. They argue that it is not only the thirteenth amendment that specifies slaves have to be human. Basically the whole constitution does not refer only to humans therefore if it were also be referring to non-humans that would mean animals should also be accounted for theft, murder, and other crimes. This is only one of the objections to PETA's lawsuit yet there are many that do not support their beliefs.