‘ Panda Babies: AUGUST 2016 Mission Critical’ August 28 at 8/7c on the Nat Geo WILD channel With new gene-editing techniques, we can transform life—but should we? jeep.com august 2016 • vol. 230 • no. 2 112 The Shipwreck Shark Once the terror of the seas, oceanic Oceanic whitetips slice through the water near the Bahamas’ whitetips have all but vanished. Cat Island, believed to be one By Glenn Hodges of the last havens for large Photographs by Brian Skerry numbers of the sharks. 30 56 60 86 DNA Revolution Science vs. Mosquitoes Pandas Gone Wild To the Last Drop Scientists now have Mosquitoes spread The Chinese know how The Ogallala aquifer a new tool to alter the some of the world’s most to breed giant pandas. To feeds a multibillion-dollar DNA of living organisms. dangerous diseases— release them in the wild farm industry. What Should they use it? and we still don’t know requires protecting habi- happens when the how to stop them. tat as well as the bears. water is gone? By Michael Specter Photographs by Greg Girard By Cynthia Gorney By Jennifer S. Holland By Laura Parker Photographs by Ami Vitale Photographs by Randy Olson 126 Proof | Net Worth On the Cover DNA is in every living thing, and scientists have learned An artist makes scientiic portraits of birds. to edit it. “We now have a power over species of all kinds that we never thought possible,” says law professor Hank Greely. Art by Bose Collins By Christy Ullrich Barcus Photographs by Todd Forsgren Corrections and Clarifications Go to ngm.com/corrections. OOFFFFIICCIIAALL JJOOUURRNNAALL OOFF TTHHEE NNAATTIIOONNAALL GGEEOOGGRRAAPPHHIICC SSOOCCIIEETTYY FROM THE EDITOR Altering Genes A New War on Mosquitoes None of humankind’s battles has proved more enduring—or less s uccessful— than the war on mosquitoes. Around the world each year, millions of people die of diseases spread by the insect. It’s a familiar list of stubborn plagues—malaria, West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, forms of encephalitis—with some chilling recent additions. The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus has spread to parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and as of 2013, the Americas. Its efects, while painful, pale in comparison with those of the Zika virus, which is careering through the Western Hemisphere and leaving tragically damaged babies in its wake. We have drained cesspools, warned of the dangers of standing water, and sprayed a river of pesticides. We have put up bed nets and window screens; we have educated and exhorted. And yet, by any fair measure, we’re losing this fight. The mosquito remains the most dangerous nonhuman animal on Earth—and many scientists fear it may become even more prevalent and virulent with the rise in global temperatures and international travel. Our next weapon of choice is DNA. Scientists are working to neutralize the mosquito on its swampy home turf by altering its genetics. New gene-editing techniques, described in this month’s cover story, make it possible to tweak the mosquito’s genome so it can’t spread the malaria parasite. Another approach would genetically modify mosquitoes so that they bear sterile ofspring. And yet another During World would alter mosquitoes’ genes to prevent the birth of females—the ones that War II the U.S. bite—so the diseases will stop spreading and, in time, the insect will die out. military used Some may see these techniques as a revolutionary advance against cartoons to tell troops infectious disease; others, as an unnerving case of scientists playing God. how to protect Like many breakthroughs, this one raises profound ethical questions. No themselves matter how noxious a wild species is, can we aford to risk the consequences from malaria. of altering its genetic code? Or can we aford not to, as malaria alone kills, on average, one child every two minutes in Africa? We invite you to read our cover story with these questions in mind. Susan Goldberg, Editor in Chief PHOTO: FRANK MACK, FOR THE U.S. ARMY; COURTESY NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE We believe in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. EDITOR IN CHIEF Susan Goldberg NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jamie Shreeve. MANAGING EDITOR: David Brindley. EXECUTIVE EDITOR PRESIDENT AND CEO Gary E. Knell DIGITAL: Dan Gilgoff. DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Sarah Leen. EXECUTIVE EDITOR NEWS AND FEATURES: BOARD OF TRUSTEES David Lindsey. CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Emmet Smith CHAIRMAN: Jean N. Case NEWS/FEATURES SHORT-FORM DIRECTOR: Patricia Edmonds. DEPUTY NEWS DIRECTOR: Gabe Bullard. VICE CHAIRMAN: Tracy R. Wolstencroft EDITORS: Marla Cone, Christine Dell’Amore, Erika Engelhaupt, Peter Gwin, John Hoeffel, Victoria Wanda M. Austin, Brendan P. Bechtel, Michael R. Jaggard, Robert Kunzig, Glenn Oeland, Oliver Payne. WRITERS: Jeremy Berlin, Eve Conant, Bonsignore, Alexandra Grosvenor Eller, William R. Michael Greshko, Brian Clark Howard, Becky Little, Laura Parker, Kristin Romey, Rachel Hartigan Harvey, Gary E. Knell, Jane Lubchenco, Mark C. Shea, Daniel Stone, Mark Strauss, Nina Strochlic, A. R. Williams, Catherine Zuckerman. Moore, George Muñoz, Nancy E. Pfund, Peter H. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Robert Draper, Cynthia Gorney, David Quammen, Craig Welch. SPECIAL The National Raven, Edward P. Roski, Jr., Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., INVESTIGATIONS: Bryan Christy; Rachael Bale, Jani Actman. ADMINISTRATION: Natasha Daly Geographic Ted Waitt, Anthony A. Williams PHOTOGRAPHY DEPUTY DIRECTORS: Whitney C. Johnson, Patrick Witty. YOUR SHOT DIRECTOR: Society INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADVISORS (MNoantuicraa l CH.i sCtoorryc)o, rKanu.r tB MUSuItNcEhSlSe rM (SANcAieGnEcRe:) ;J eTondnyd TJraumcaenso, .A SleExNaIO RK ePeHfOeT,O S EaDdITieO RQSu: aKrraiethr,y Moran is a global non- DAragrylernoep oTu. lAons,d Leurscoyn a, nMdi cHheanerl yS B. iAllinndgesrlesyo,n R, iSchaarardh Vaughn Wallace, Jessie Wender, Nicole Werbeck. ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITORS: Matt Adams, Mallory proit membership C. Blum, Sheila and Michael Bonsignore, Diane and PBReOnDeUdCicEtR,: AJderaiannn eC Moa. kMleoy,d Jdaenrmnaa nD.o AtSsScIhSkTAaNl,T B PeHcOkTyO HEDaIrTlaOnR,S J: eMhealno dJyil laRnoi,w Melal,r iJea Mkec GRurothrye. rPfoHrOdT.O organization com- HCaalm Bprbieerllel, yJ, eHaonw aanrdd SGt.e Bveu fCfeatts,e P, aAtl icaen da nKde iDtha vid STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Rebecca Hale, Mark Thiessen. DIGITAL IMAGING: Christina Micek, Edward mitted to exploring Court, Barbara and Steve Durham, Juliet C. Folger, Samuel. PHOTO COODINATORS: Edward Benfield, Lisa Jewell, Elena Sheveiko. ADMINISTRATION: and protecting our Michael J. Fourticq, Warren H. Haruki, Joan and Veronica Kresse David Hill, Lyda Hill, David H. Koch, Deborah M. EDDEISTIOGRN: HDaIRnEnCaThO RTa: kM. iDcEhSaIGeNl T SriPbEbClIeA.L ISSETNSI:O SR cDoEtSt IGBNu rEkDhITaOrdRS, :S Jaonhdni OBwaxattevre, rEolta-iNneu zHz.o Bradley. DESIGN planet. LLWeorhwigr,,h CSt,vl aEeudndi tLihai n MMdcbaBdlaredaa,z noJ,u dSlie ua sHnaden r Tnaoánmndd LCeiznra,d iPgq auMmiscte,C laJa hwMo, a rs ART/GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: John Tomanio. SENIOR GRAPHICS EDITORS: Fernando G. Baptista, Manuel Mary and Gregory M. Moga III, Mark C. Moore, Canales, Monica Serrano, Jason Treat. GRAPHICS EDITOR: Daniela Santamarina (Production). JUNIOR Pearl and Seymour Moskowitz, Timothy S. Nash, GRAPHICS EDITORS: Riley Champine, Daisy Chung, Andrew Umentum. RESEARCHER: Ryan Williams Caryl D. Philips, Mark Pruzanski, Gayle and Edward P. Roski, Jr., Jeannie and Tom Rutherfoord, Victoria CARTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR OF CARTOGRAPHIC DATABASES: Theodore A. Sickley. SENIOR CARTOGRAPHY Sant, Donna Socia Seegers, Hugo Shong, Jill and EDITORS: Ryan Morris (Interactives); Matthew W. Chwastyk. CARTOGRAPHY EDITORS: Lauren E. Richard Sideman, Jessica and Richard Sneider, James, Charles A. Preppernau. MAP EDITOR: Rosemary P. Wardley. BUSINESS OPERATIONS SPECIALIST: Philip Stephenson, Mary Hart and Burt Sugarman, Nicole Washington Clara Wu Tsai, Garry Weber, Angie and Leo Wells, CCOOPPYY /ERDEISTOEARRS:C HP reDeEtPi UATrYo oMnA,N CAiGnIdNyG LEeDitITnOeRr,: M Aamryy BKeotlchz Oake.lk ReErSsE-KAReCegH aDnI.R RECESTEOARR:C AHlEicReS :S E. liJzoanbeesth. S. JWuodlisthte anncdro Sft,t eBp.h Wenu Wanedrt hEeriicm Lear,r sToranc, yJ Ref.f rey M. Zell Atalay, Christy Ullrich Barcus, Nora Gallagher, Taryn L. Salinas, Heidi Schultz, Brad Scriber RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION COMMITTEE DIGITAL PUBLISHING CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Bethany Powell. DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR: Jeffrey L. CHAIRMAN: Peter H. Raven Katz. PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR: Alissa Swango. ADVENTURE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Mary Anne Potts. Paul A. Baker, Kamaljit S. Bawa, Colin A. Chapman, VIDEO DIRECTOR: James Williams. SENIOR BLOGGER: April Fulton. DESIGNERS: Kevin DiCesare, Chan Janet Franklin, Carol P. Harden, Kirk Johnson, Young Park, Vitomir Zarkovic. WEB PRODUCERS: Janey Adams, Heather Brady, Korena Di Roma, Jonathan B. Losos, John O’Loughlin, Steve Jess Estepa, April Fehling, Sarah Gibbens, John Kondis, Kat Long, Francis Rivera. VIDEO Palumbi, Naomi E. Pierce, Jeremy A. Sabloff, PRODUCERS: Jeff Hertrick; Stephanie Atlas, James Burch, Kathryn Carlson, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Monica L. Smith, Thomas B. Smith, Christopher P. Will Halicks, Rachel Link, Nick Lunn, Edythe McNamee, Jennifer Murphy, Jed Winer. EDITORIAL Thornton, Wirt H. Wills MSEARNVAICGEESR:S :N Lainscay C Gouvip, tTornis;h L Diaonres eDyi.S CteOfOaRnDoI,N EATmORilyS :S Rhaecnhke Fl lBorryo,w Bnr,e tSt aWnderisab Oanyden. ePyRiOnD UCTION EXPLORERS-IN-RESIDENCE Robert Ballard, Lee R. Berger, James Cameron, OPERATIONS/FINANCE ASSISTANT TO EDITOR IN CHIEF: Joey Wolfkill. BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Cole Sylvia Earle, J. Michael Fay, Beverly Joubert, Ingraham; Tracey Franklin, Jacqueline Rowe, Edwin Sakyi. FINANCE: Jeannette Swain; Nikisha Dereck Joubert, Louise Leakey, Meave Leakey, Long; Allison Bradshaw, Leticia Rivera Enric Sala FELLOWS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORS: Ann Day, Anna Kukelhaus Dynan, Liz Nickless. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Dan Buettner, Bryan Christy, Fredrik Hiebert, Zeb CREATIVE VICE PRESIDENT: Alice Keating; Mimi Dornack, Stacy Gold, John Rutter. CONTENT STRATEGY Hogan, Corey Jaskolski, Mattias Klum, Thomas VICE PRESIDENT: Dave E. Smith. SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST: Gina L. Cicotello. SYSTEMS: Robert Giroux, Lovejoy, Sarah Parcak, Paul Salopek, Joel Sartore Patrick Twomey CONSUMER MARKETING EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: Terrence Day. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MEMBER NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PARTNERS MARKETING: Elizabeth M. Safford. VICE PRESIDENTS: John MacKethan, John A. Seeley. DIRECTORS: CEO Declan Moore Anne Barker, Richard Brown, Tracy Pelt KBPJR.ru iOCsrnDtrieanUsi CgMtT;o I.OWn SN; ee MSnmEdicReyhVn aKIiCue.Ek l SS.G mB.S UiELtShNaI;INp OREpRSai nSVh, I sMCWaEAai GlPnliAaR ZJmEI.NS JEIDD aD.Ec INRRkTEse:Coi cTPnhO.he RQirl:lt iUpsGA. rLLDeI.TIg SSY TS cRThtEIoBlCorUHesTNrs IIeOCrNA. L IAM DNAIDRG EIANCDTGVO EVRIR:C TECI SlPaIRNyEGtSo PInDR ERON.DT :U CTThIoOmN:a s SECGCDEHHLNIOIITEEIBOFFOA RRMFLI AI NAMNLRAE ADKNTNEICWRATIEOGAINCLREG TKMOO SAEFR NNFC:ID TCES OEBuR:R s:CA aMNonDua GrrOctoFeeFlndlIaCeb EyMeR Mr:ag Cro t inlnar uo dei a Malley CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Laura Nichols CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Ward Platt INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Darren Smith. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR: Laura L. LEGAL AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Jeff Schneider Toraldo. PRODUCTION SPECIALIST: Beata Kovacs Nas CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER: Jonathan Young EDITORS ARABIC: Alsaad Omar Almenhaly. BRAZIL: Ronaldo Ribeiro. BULGARIA: Krassimir Drumev. BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHINA: Bin Wang. CROATIA: Hrvoje Pr(cid:453)i(cid:453). CZECHIA: Tomáš Ture(cid:823)ek. ESTONIA: Erkki Peetsalu. FARSI: Babak Nikkhah Bahrami. FRANCE: Jean-Pierre Vrignaud. GEORGIA: Levan Butkhuzi. GERMANY: CHAIRMAN: Gary E. Knell Florian Gless. HUNGARY: Tamás Vitray. INDIA: Niloufer Venkatraman. INDONESIA: Didi Kaspi Kasim. Jean N. Case, Randy Freer, Kevin J. Maroni, ISRAEL: Daphne Raz. ITALY: Marco Cattaneo. JAPAN: Shigeo Otsuka. KAZAKHSTAN: Yerkin Zhakipov. James Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, Peter Rice, KOREA: Junemo Kim. LATIN AMERICA: Claudia Muzzi Turullols. LITHUANIA: Frederikas Jansonas. Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. NETHERLANDS/BELGIUM: Aart Aarsbergen. NORDIC COUNTRIES: Karen Gunn. POLAND: Martyna Wojciechowska. PORTUGAL: Gonçalo Pereira. ROMANIA: Catalin Gruia. RUSSIA: Andrey Palamarchuk. SERBIA: Igor Rill. SLOVENIA: Marija Javornik. SPAIN: Josep Cabello. TAIWAN: Yungshih Lee. THAILAND: Kowit Phadungruangkij. TURKEY: Nesibe Bat GLOBAL MEDIA 1211 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY, 10036; Phone: 212-610-5500; Fax: 212-741-0463 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: John Campbell. INTERNATIONAL: Charlie Attenborough. U.S.: Robert Amberg (National); Tammy Abraham (East), Eric Josten (West), Karen Sarris (Midwest) national geographic • August 2016 #LovEyOurBread 33 QQuueessttiioonnss nnaattiioonnaallggeeooggrraapphhiicc..ccoomm//33QQ Why I Joke About the Ivory Trade “ I was raised wild,” says India-born artist and conserva- tionist Asher Jay. The National Geographic emerging explorer, 31, also dabbles in fashion design (such as the outit here) and stand-up comedy. Her wildlife campaigns have appeared in Times Square and Tanzania and gone viral in China. The irony? She’s “allergic to every animal.” When did you discover a passion for wildlife? When I was younger, my mom allowed me to bring home any animal that fell out of a tree. She told me, “If you see something [broken], it’s your responsibility to fix it.” Eventually it was like living in a menagerie. I went through a phase where my parents had to tell me, “You are human.” Even now when I go out on safari and see an animal, I feel it come alive in me—I don’t see a sep- aration. We tend to lose that over time as we begin to view things in a human context. That’s why I do what I do— to get back into that space of being wild and unbound. Are there any rules your art abides by? Because I talk a lot about ivory, people think I could use it in my art. But if I used it, I’d be creating a gray area—it would seem like this material could be used by some because it has educational benefit, but not by others because it perpetuates death. I keep it very black and white, because life and death is black and white. Art for art’s sake is a luxury we cannot aford. What’s the strangest way you’ve spread the word? I started doing stand-up comedy just to see if I could get wildlife jokes out there. In my act I talk about how blood ivory has come to afect my dating life. Now every time I go on a date, I think of the fact that we’re losing an elephant every 15 minutes. So by the time we get to dessert, I’m like, “Is this chap worth six elephants?” PHOTO: BENEDICT EVANS PROJET GOMBESSA Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe a RAISE AWARENESS, Ballest THREALPN PSRMOITT EOCUTR T PHAES OSICOENA,N nt ure www.blancpain-ocean-commitment.com a o: L hot BLANCPAIN BOUTIQUES ABU DHABI · BEIJING · CANNES · DUBAI · GENEVA · HONG KONG · LAS VEGAS · LONDON · MACAU P © MADRID · MANAMA · MOSCOW · MUNICH · NEW YORK · PARIS · SEOUL · SHANGHAI · SINGAPORE · TAIPEI · TOKYO · ZURICH www.blancpain.com VVIISSIIOONNSS nnaattiioonnaall ggeeooggrraapphhiicc •• Mauognutsht 22001156