GM mosquitoes created in British laboratories to be released in jungles of Panama to fight Dengue Fever Millions of GM mosquitoes created in British laboratories are about to be released into the jungles of Panama to tackle the spread of Dengue Fever to humans. The idea is that the male insects are on a suicide mission which involves mating with wild females before they and their offspring die. This, in theory, will reduce the number of wild mosquitoes which carry and spread Dengue Fever, which causes serious symptoms ranging from high temperatures and muscle pain to bleeding. However, British campaigners warn that proper safeguards have not been established with the result that unintended consequences could make the disease situation even worse. The UK company Oxitec, has developed the technology to create genetically modified insects which, it claims, can also be used instead of chemicals to protect food crops from pests. The firm has held preliminary talks with UK authorities about releasing GM insects into UK fields or greenhouses to reduce pest numbers. Oxitec conducted its first open release experiments of GM mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands in 2009-10 followed by a smaller experiment in Malaysia in 2010-11. Both countries have halted further releases. Larger-scale experiments began in Brazil in February 2011 and are still on-going. Director of GeneWatch UK, Dr Helen Wallace, said: ‘Local people should be aware that releasing large numbers of GM mosquitoes can pose risks to their health and the environment. They also need to know who will be liable if anything goes wrong. Will Oxitec take responsibility for any problems, or just walk away?’ The release of GM insects is supposed to involve only males, however it has emerged that a large number of biting female mosquitoes have also been released during experiments. Oxitec’s chief executive, Hadyn Parry, insisted the release of the insects is being properly policed. ‘The evaluation will be conducted by the Gorgas Institute, an institute with a worldwide reputation in developing approaches to combat disease carrying mosquitoes.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 11:33:05 +0000
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