Genetically engineered mosquitoes with "toxic" semen could kill females and curb spread of disease, researchers say

Genetically engineered mosquitoes with toxic semen could be a new weapon against tropical disease, Australian scientists said after trialing the novel pest control method.

The "toxic male technique" aims to breed mosquitoes that express venomous proteins in their semen, killing off females after mating.

Female mosquitoes are targeted because only they bite and drink blood, thereby spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.