Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
GM mosquitoes to be released in a trial
Share: 
by Lazylizards | August 29, 2010 at 09:38 am
334 views | 0 Recommendations | 2 comments
In the first experiment of its kind in Asia, 2,000-3,000 male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes would be released in two Malaysian states in October or November.
The insects in the study have been engineered so that their offspring quickly die, curbing the growth of the population in a technique researchers hope could eventually eradicate the dengue mosquito altogether.
Females of the Aedes species are responsible for spreading dengue fever, a sometimes deadly illness that has killed 100 people so far this year in Malaysia alone.
Gurmit Singh, a vocal environmentalist is alarmed. He thinks that too many risks are involved.
In its submission to the National Resources and Environment Ministry, which will conduct the trial, the Third World Network (TWN) expressed the following concerns:
1) Could female mosquitoes be accidentally released? The accidental release of females raises further concerns as they act as vectors for diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
2) Could GE (genetically-engineered) mosquitoes and GE larvae survive and persist in the environment?
3) Could there be a surge of other disease-transmitting mosquito species if Aedes aegypti populations are suppressed?
Aedes albopictus may thrive if the Aedes aegypti mosquito population is suppressed. This is an indigenous species of mosquito to Malaysia, which also transmits dengue, as well as chikungunya. With a surge in Aedes albopictus, there will be a potential increase in incidences of chikungunya and possibly also dengue.
4) Could there be gene flow and effects on non-target organisms?
5) Are the monitoring and control measures proposed adequate?
6) Has the prior informed consent of local communities at the release sites been obtained?
7) Is there sufficient risk assessment and regulatory experience?
According to Wikipedia, the Third World Network is an international network of organizations and individuals involved in issues relating to environment, development and the Third World and North-South issues. It has its international secretariat in Penang, Malaysia.
Advertisement
NowPublic on Facebook
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 10:43 on September 9th, 2010
"Legal Compliance for the Release of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes in Malaysia : Spearheading Strategic Medical Biotechnology" The IMR of Malaysia has applied for approval from the National National Safety Board(NSB) to release at least 30,000 genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild at two targeted areas ie The State of Pahang and the UNESCO state of Malacca. Public objection have been brewing up to disallow the release of these GM mosquitoes into the wild. Unless more convincing tests are forthcoming -and this is lacking under the current proposed "Emergency Response Plan"and "Risks Assessment" reports provided by IMR as required by the Biosafety Act 2007, there is a need to delay such release pending further credible field-tests. .................. Jeong Chun phuoc Lecturer-in-Law and an advocate in Strategic Environment and Taxation Intelligence(SETI) He can be contacted at Jeongphu@yahoo.com
at 11:06 on September 9th, 2010
“The case of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes : Malaysia to Spearhead International Strategic Medical Biotechnology R&D "9 Sept 2010The IMR of Malaysia has applied for approval from the National Safety Board(NSB) to release at least 30,000 genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild at two targeted areas ie The State of Pahang and the UNESCO state of Malacca.Public objection have been brewing up to disallow the release of these GM mosquitoes into the wild.Unless more convincing tests are forthcoming -and this is lacking under the current proposed "Emergency Response Plan" and "Risks Assessment" reports provided by IMR as required by the Biosafety Act 2007, there is a need to delay such release pending further credible field-tests.It is also not clear under the current legal framework of the Biosafety Act 2007, whether such additional precaution is required if the present evidence appears to be lacking in terms of environment risk impact assessment. It is proposed that the Malaysian National Safety Board(NSB) will adopt a standard that reflect current best practices in the rigorous assessment of overall environment impact. Unfortunately, such standard remains elusive. In any event, the IMR should not be prevented from proceeding with their work in the name of scientific advance and medical benefits to mankind. This is because the science of genetic modification can be incorporated within the wider dimension of environment sustainability matrix (ESM). ................................Jeong Chun phuocLecturer-in-Lawand an advocate in Strategic Environment and Taxation Intelligence(SETI)He can be contacted at Jeongphu@yahoo.com