Popular summer destination ravaged by Lyme disease bets on radical new solution

Researchers are now exploring whether mice could help slow the spread of the disease.

"The natural disaster in our area is not hurricanes, or tornadoes, or earthquakes; it is Lyme disease," MIT researcher Kevin Esvelt told the outlet.

Researchers hope that if mice can no longer pass Lyme disease to ticks, the number of infected ticks will decline over time.

The specially bred mice would carry protective antibodies from birth, helping shield them from Lyme disease and preventing them from spreading the bacteria to ticks, Mice Against Ticks said.

The proposal has generated discussion online.

Some commenters expressed support for exploring new ways to combat Lyme disease.

"Having had Lyme disease twice, I thought 'what a cool idea,'" one Reddit user wrote.

Others said they were encouraged by the project's emphasis on community involvement and transparency.

Some, however, voiced caution about potential impacts on wildlife.

"Mice are kinda the foundation of the food chain," one user wrote. "So tinkering with the food chain makes me a little cautious."