Some extra conspiracy fodder for anyone who wants it. The mechanism by which Wolbachia (the bacteria in question) reproduces is... interesting.
Only infected females, therefore, pass the infection on to their offspring. Wolbachia bacteria maximize their spread by altering the reproductive capabilities of their hosts, in favour for the infected females. Several different phenotypes have been observed, including:
Male killing occurs when infected males die during larval development, which increases the rate of born, infected females.[19]
Feminization results in infected males that develop as females or infertile pseudofemales. This is especially prevalent in Lepidoptera species such as the adzuki bean borer (Ostrinia scapulalis).[20]
Parthenogenesis is reproduction of infected females without males. Some scientists have suggested that parthenogenesis may always be attributable to the effects of Wolbachia,[21] though this is not the case for the marbled crayfish.[22] An example of parthenogenesis induced by presence of Wolbachia are some species within the Trichogramma parasitoid wasp genus,[23] which have evolved to procreate without males due to the presence of Wolbachia. Males are rare in this genus of wasp, possibly because many have been killed by that same strain of Wolbachia.[24]
Cytoplasmic incompatibility is the inability of Wolbachia-infected males to successfully reproduce with uninfected females or females infected with another Wolbachia strain. This reduces the reproductive success of those uninfected females and therefore promotes the infecting strain. In the cytoplasmic incompatibility mechanism, Wolbachia interferes with the parental chromosomes during the first mitotic divisions to the extent that they can no longer divide in synchrony.[25]
As far as "is this a good idea"
The male killing and feminization effects of Wolbachia infections can also lead to speciation in their hosts. For example, populations of the pill woodlouse, Armadillidium vulgare which are exposed to the feminizing effects of Wolbachia, have been known to lose their female-determining chromosome.[34] In these cases, only the presence of Wolbachia can cause an individual to develop into a female.[34] Cryptic species of ground wētā (Hemiandrus maculifrons complex) are host to different lineages of Wolbachia which might explain their speciation without ecological or geographical separation.[35][36]
So it infects species besides mosquitos and can drastically and permanently alter them, creating a dependence on the bacteria. Yeah, no way this goes wrong, I'm sure. All pollinators are immune, right /s
Some extra conspiracy fodder for anyone who wants it. The mechanism by which Wolbachia (the bacteria in question) reproduces is... interesting.
As far as "is this a good idea"
So it infects species besides mosquitos and can drastically and permanently alter them, creating a dependence on the bacteria. Yeah, no way this goes wrong, I'm sure. All pollinators are immune, right /s
Wow, thanks for the info. Just when you thought this mad science experiment was already messed up enough.