Genetically Altered Mice - For Real!

In recent years, our relationship with rodents has been strained, particularly in Boston, where rats have proliferated in unprecedented numbers during the pandemic. The city's response has included various extermination methods, such as suffocating them with dry ice and using electrocution in Somerville. Generally, urban life necessitates aggressive rodent control, and these pests are often swiftly eradicated upon sight due to their overwhelming presence and lack of benefit to humans.

However, a surprising development is unfolding on Nantucket, where scientists are forming an unlikely alliance with mice to combat a more dangerous enemy: ticks. The initiative, part of the "Mice Against Ticks" project, involves releasing genetically altered mice that are resistant to Lyme disease into the island's ecosystem. These modified mice are expected to help reduce the spread of Lyme disease by preventing ticks from acquiring and transmitting the disease to humans. Researchers from MIT plan to introduce hundreds of thousands of these Lyme-resistant mice to Nantucket and potentially to neighboring Martha's Vineyard.

Before a full-scale release, scientists are testing the genetically altered mice on smaller islands to ensure their effectiveness and safety. These mice will look like ordinary mice but will carry antibodies to fight Lyme disease. If you encounter one of these mice while vacationing on Nantucket, it’s advised to avoid harming them, as they are part of an innovative effort to protect public health by controlling the tick population and reducing Lyme disease transmission.